Urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates: Urban area over the long-term was 2,302 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
2,302 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 4.8%
World rank
55th
of 202 countries
All-time high
2,302 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0002 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates stood at 2,302 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
That represents a change of up 4.8% on the previous year and up 20.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates peaked at 2,302 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0002 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
United Arab Emirates ranks 55th of 202 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1200 | 0.0017 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1300 | 0.0052 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1400 | 0.0157 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1500 | 0.047 km² per grid cell | +200.0% |
| 1600 | 0.1912 km² per grid cell | +306.5% |
| 1700 | 0.7237 km² per grid cell | +278.6% |
| 1710 | 0.6871 km² per grid cell | -5.1% |
| 1720 | 0.7794 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1730 | 0.884 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1740 | 1 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1750 | 1.14 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1760 | 1.29 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1770 | 1.46 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1780 | 1.66 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1790 | 1.88 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1800 | 2.14 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1810 | 2.42 km² per grid cell | +13.4% |
| 1820 | 2.97 km² per grid cell | +22.6% |
| 1830 | 3.64 km² per grid cell | +22.6% |
| 1840 | 4.47 km² per grid cell | +22.6% |
| 1850 | 5.48 km² per grid cell | +22.6% |
| 1860 | 6.71 km² per grid cell | +22.4% |
| 1870 | 8.18 km² per grid cell | +21.9% |
| 1880 | 9.81 km² per grid cell | +20.0% |
| 1890 | 11.35 km² per grid cell | +15.7% |
| 1900 | 12.3 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1910 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.4% |
| 1920 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 12.36 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 12.8 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1953 | 13.86 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1954 | 15.01 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1955 | 16.06 km² per grid cell | +7.0% |
| 1956 | 16.92 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1957 | 17.63 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1958 | 18.37 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1959 | 19.39 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1960 | 20.98 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1961 | 22.96 km² per grid cell | +9.5% |
| 1962 | 25.65 km² per grid cell | +11.7% |
| 1963 | 28.76 km² per grid cell | +12.1% |
| 1964 | 31.89 km² per grid cell | +10.9% |
| 1965 | 34.81 km² per grid cell | +9.2% |
| 1966 | 37.39 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1967 | 39.95 km² per grid cell | +6.8% |
| 1968 | 43.29 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1969 | 48.5 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1970 | 56.44 km² per grid cell | +16.4% |
| 1971 | 67.31 km² per grid cell | +19.3% |
| 1972 | 80.98 km² per grid cell | +20.3% |
| 1973 | 97.51 km² per grid cell | +20.4% |
| 1974 | 116.85 km² per grid cell | +19.8% |
| 1975 | 138.85 km² per grid cell | +18.8% |
| 1976 | 163.61 km² per grid cell | +17.8% |
| 1977 | 190.85 km² per grid cell | +16.6% |
| 1978 | 219.55 km² per grid cell | +15.0% |
| 1979 | 248.11 km² per grid cell | +13.0% |
| 1980 | 275.38 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1981 | 300 km² per grid cell | +8.9% |
| 1982 | 322.22 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1983 | 343.46 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1984 | 364.91 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1985 | 387.48 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1986 | 411.71 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1987 | 437.47 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1988 | 464.49 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1989 | 492.58 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1990 | 521.64 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1991 | 551.59 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1992 | 582.72 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1993 | 615.83 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1994 | 651.95 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1995 | 691.77 km² per grid cell | +6.1% |
| 1996 | 735.47 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1997 | 782.8 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1998 | 833.24 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1999 | 885.95 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 2000 | 920.72 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2001 | 959.6 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 998.96 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 1,039 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2004 | 1,079 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2005 | 1,120 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2006 | 1,246 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 2007 | 1,374 km² per grid cell | +10.3% |
| 2008 | 1,503 km² per grid cell | +9.4% |
| 2009 | 1,624 km² per grid cell | +8.0% |
| 2010 | 1,744 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 2011 | 1,812 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2012 | 1,882 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 1,804 km² per grid cell | -4.1% |
| 2014 | 1,898 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 1,913 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 1,929 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 1,945 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 2,039 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2019 | 2,055 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 2,072 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 2,162 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 2,173 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 2,185 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2024 | 2,197 km² per grid cell | +0.5% |
| 2025 | 2,302 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
United Arab Emirates compared with similar countries
- United Arab Emirates's 2,302 km² per grid cell is above the median for high income countries, which is 1,007 km² per grid cell, 2.3× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- United Arab Emirates's 2,302 km² per grid cell is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 1,501 km² per grid cell, 1.5× the median. (22 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1600 | +306.5% | 0.047 km² per grid cell | 0.1912 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +278.6% | 0.1912 km² per grid cell | 0.7237 km² per grid cell |
| 1100 | +200.0% | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +200.0% | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0017 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +200.0% | 0.0017 km² per grid cell | 0.0052 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +200.0% | 0.0052 km² per grid cell | 0.0157 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 0.0002 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0017 km² per grid cell | 0.0017 km² per grid cell | 0.0017 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0052 km² per grid cell | 0.0052 km² per grid cell | 0.0052 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0157 km² per grid cell | 0.0157 km² per grid cell | 0.0157 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.047 km² per grid cell | 0.047 km² per grid cell | 0.047 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.1912 km² per grid cell | 0.1912 km² per grid cell | 0.1912 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 0.7237 km² per grid cell | 0.7237 km² per grid cell | 0.7237 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 0.6871 km² per grid cell | 0.6871 km² per grid cell | 0.6871 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 0.7794 km² per grid cell | 0.7794 km² per grid cell | 0.7794 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 0.884 km² per grid cell | 0.884 km² per grid cell | 0.884 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 1 km² per grid cell | 1 km² per grid cell | 1 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 1.14 km² per grid cell | 1.14 km² per grid cell | 1.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 1.29 km² per grid cell | 1.29 km² per grid cell | 1.29 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 1.46 km² per grid cell | 1.46 km² per grid cell | 1.46 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 1.66 km² per grid cell | 1.66 km² per grid cell | 1.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1.88 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 2.14 km² per grid cell | 2.14 km² per grid cell | 2.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 2.42 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 2.97 km² per grid cell | 2.97 km² per grid cell | 2.97 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 3.64 km² per grid cell | 3.64 km² per grid cell | 3.64 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 4.47 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 5.48 km² per grid cell | 5.48 km² per grid cell | 5.48 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 6.71 km² per grid cell | 6.71 km² per grid cell | 6.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 8.18 km² per grid cell | 8.18 km² per grid cell | 8.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 9.81 km² per grid cell | 9.81 km² per grid cell | 9.81 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 11.35 km² per grid cell | 11.35 km² per grid cell | 11.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 12.3 km² per grid cell | 12.3 km² per grid cell | 12.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 15.47 km² per grid cell | 12.36 km² per grid cell | 19.39 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 33.42 km² per grid cell | 20.98 km² per grid cell | 48.5 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 138 km² per grid cell | 56.44 km² per grid cell | 248.11 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 379.97 km² per grid cell | 275.38 km² per grid cell | 492.58 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 685.3 km² per grid cell | 521.64 km² per grid cell | 885.95 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 1,186 km² per grid cell | 920.72 km² per grid cell | 1,624 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,902 km² per grid cell | 1,744 km² per grid cell | 2,055 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,182 km² per grid cell | 2,072 km² per grid cell | 2,302 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near United Arab Emirates
More reference data data for United Arab Emirates
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.0407 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.4839 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0001 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 0.6291 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1364 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.0486 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.91 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.53 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.0008 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates?
- Urban area over the long-term in United Arab Emirates was 2,302 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The highest recorded value was 2,302 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in United Arab Emirates?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0002 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does United Arab Emirates rank for urban area over the long-term?
- United Arab Emirates ranks 55th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in United Arab Emirates?
- Over the last ten years it is up 20.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Arab Emirates data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.