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What are the people of Dubai called?

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TwoContinents

TwoContinents

25 February 2026

Dubai people

The people of Dubai are a diverse community of different cultures and nationalities. These include UAE citizens, the native Emiratis, and a large group of expats from all over the world. What does it mean to be Emirati? What are the people of Dubai called? You will find the answers to these and other questions below.

Who will live in Dubai in 2026?

Dubai residents and expats in Dubai – the city is home to both native Emiratis and a large group of expats. Dubai is a multicultural city that attracts people from all over the world, including Asia, Europe, America, and Africa.

Is Dubai a city for expats? Definitely yes – the city offers many career opportunities and a high quality of life, which attracts people looking for better professional and cultural prospects. This is facilitated by the housing market, which is supported by many real estate agencies, including Two Continents

What are the residents of Dubai called?

The inhabitants of Dubai can be called Dubaiis or Emiratis. The term “Emirati” refers to citizens of all seven emirates that make up the UAE, but it is also used to refer to the inhabitants of Dubai. Foreigners in Dubai make up the majority of the country's population, with only about 12% of the 11 million inhabitants being Emiratis.

Who can become a citizen of Dubai? Citizenship in the United Arab Emirates is only granted to people born in the UAE who are of Arab descent. In practice, this means that only about 1/10 of the country's population has Emirati citizenship.

Dubai residents
Photo: Nick Fewings/ Unsplash

Dubai residents – who are they?

Cultural and ethnic diversity in Dubai is one of the most important aspects of this Persian Gulf city. Many people wonder about the answers to questions such as: What nationalities live in Dubai? Dubai is dominated by a huge number of foreigners, with the largest proportion coming mainly from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. There are only a few thousand Poles in Dubai.

What ethnic groups live in Dubai? In addition to the aforementioned Asian nationalities, Dubai is home to representatives of Europe, America, and other Arab and Middle Eastern countries, including Iran. Although many of Dubai's residents are foreigners, are all Dubai residents Emiratis? The answer is no!

Emiratis – residents of the United Arab Emirates

When did Dubai become an international city? Dubai became an international city in the 1990s, when the first economic migrants began to flock to the country. The increase in the number of foreigners was closely linked to the dynamic extraction of oil and the rapid development of infrastructure, which led to intensive construction in the city.

Despite this, the history of Dubai's inhabitants goes back much further. Before the discovery of oil deposits, the emirates of Dubai and Abu Dhabi were primarily port areas and key points on the world trade map. At that time, it was the Emiratis, the indigenous inhabitants of the United Arab Emirates, who played an important role.

Who are the Emiratis?

The Emiratis, or citizens of the United Arab Emirates, are the indigenous people of the region. The Emiratis are a diverse population with different ethnic, cultural, and tribal origins. They include a range of ancestors, including Arab and Persian heritage.

Do the people of Dubai speak one language? Emiratis speak two main languages—Emirati Arabic and English—which are the primary means of communication in the country. Islam is the religion of the vast majority of Emiratis, and religious practices play a key role in their daily lives.

Emiratis
Photo:  Rishab Lamichhane/ Unsplash

The culture of Dubai's residents 2026

Dubai's culture is a fascinating blend of Arab traditions and modern influences that shape the city as a center of global tourism and business. Dubai's cultural values include respect for tradition, religion, family, and hospitality, which are the foundation of daily life for Emiratis.

What are the customs of the people of Dubai? One example is the wearing of traditional clothing, such as the dishdasha for men and the abaya for women, which reflect respect for culture and religion.

If you want to learn about the traditions and culture of Emiratis, take advantage of the many attractions available, including our guided tour of Old Dubai, where you will learn about the history of the city, its architecture, and the customs of its inhabitants. In addition, visit the Al Shindagha Museum, which will take you back in time to traditional Dubai.