United Arab Emirates

Emirati citizens are a small minority — under a fifth of the population — in a country dominated by expatriates from South Asia, the Arab world, the West, and beyond. Arabic is official, and English is the lingua franca of business.

Islam is the state religion, with most Emiratis Sunni Muslim, though the UAE is notably cosmopolitan and religiously tolerant by regional standards.

Society

Emirati nationals enjoy great wealth and extensive welfare, while the economy and society run on a vast migrant workforce; the country boasts gleaming cities, high literacy, and global connectivity.