Looking at the current state of the Emirates, it feels as if the government has truly invested its time and power into attracting tourists (with the convenient UAE eVisa), investors, and companies from around the world.
However, it wasn’t always this way. From its early beginnings as a small desert state to its meteoric rise, the history of the United Arab Emirates is one for the books.
The question remains: how did they manage to achieve this, and in such a short amount of time? This article will go over the history of the formation of the Arab Emirates, as well as the current state.
The Humble Beginnings of the United Arab Emirates
The best way to understand the United Arab Emirates’ current situation is to take a look at its humble past.
Some 100 years ago, when the world was developing and undergoing industrialization, the Emirati locals had to turn to hard work to make a living. This entailed trading between tribes and utilizing camel caravans to transport goods, while surviving in the scorching desert.
In those days, there was no healthcare, an inaccessible education system, and pockets of small tribes scattered throughout the country. In fact, Dubai, which is now considered one of the most modern cities in the world, was a small village with a population of some 10,000 people.
The United Arab Emirates had its first period of prosperity at the beginning of the 1900s when the country began exporting pearls as a valuable commodity. Unfortunately, this was quite short-lived, as the Great Depression and various economic problems around the world forced the pearl industry to nearly collapse in the 1930s.
Interestingly enough, the seven emirates that make up the United Emirates were not always on such good terms. In the 1950s, there were constant conflicts between the locals of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which continued well into the 1970s.
Everything changed in 1966 when oil was found on the territory of the United Arab Emirates. Seemingly overnight, the country began to rapidly grow and expand. After a few years of building infrastructure and inking deals, the first shipment of oil was sent in 1969.
Just a couple of years after oil production started, six emirates — Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah — announced the creation of an independent state called the United Arab Emirates in 1971. One year later, the final emirate, Ras al Khaimah, joined to finalize the federation.
Since that time, the economy of the UAE has been growing very rapidly, and the huge demand for oil around the world has made it possible to quickly find buyers. It is estimated that the country earns about 150 million USD per day from the sale of oil.
As soon as money began to come into the country, the government, namely Sheikh Zayed, began to improve the lives of local residents by spearheading the construction of modern houses, building schools and universities, and improving healthcare.
The United Arab Emirates at Present
After years of work and reinvesting oil money into the country, the United Arab Emirates has become one of the richest countries in the world. In fact, the UAE has the 8th highest GDP in the world per capita, just behind Qatar and Switzerland.
Likewise, thanks to the wise management and strategy of the country’s treasury, the government of the United Arab Emirates is slowly but surely diversifying its income.
In order to avoid being entirely dependent on oil and its byproducts, the UAE has put money into a variety of domestic sectors and international investments. Thanks to this, the economy of the country has become less focused on oil. In 2009, about 85% of the UAE’s economy was from oil exports, then 77% in 2011, and nowadays the figure hovers around 35%.
Emirati citizens can enjoy a comfortable life thanks to the many amenities and perks that come with living in such a developed country. For starters, basic healthcare is free for all citizens, and in the event that the citizen has to get treatment abroad, the government will subsidize travel costs.
Education is free until the end of secondary school, and Emirati citizens who wish to study abroad will receive financial support in order to pay tuition.
Once an Emirati citizen gets married, the government sends a generous grant to cover the cost of the wedding — there is even an official ‘Marriage Fund’ that oversees these activities!
Other perks include no personal income tax, land grants, and subsidized utility bills.
Overall, the United Arab Emirates is one of the most interesting case studies when it comes to history, and how one country can become so successful by taking the right steps.
