When visiting Dubai or Abu Dhabi, tourists always compare the two cities and emirates (states). The most common question people ask is whether Abu Dhabi is bigger than Dubai.
In terms of area, Dubai city is bigger than Abu Dhabi city. However Abu Dhabi emirate is bigger than Dubai emirate. In terms of population, both Dubai city and emirate are bigger than Abu Dhabi city and emirate respectively. In terms of economy, Abu Dhabi emirate is bigger than Dubai emirate.
Comparison of Abu Dhabi and Dubai in terms of which one is bigger might be surprising for many tourists. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are two of the most important cities of United Arab Emirates country. Abu Dhabi being capital of the country is politically more important where as Dubai being global business hub is more popular city. Many people do not know that Abu Dhabi is the world’s richest city. Let’s tell you more about the Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
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Abu Dhabi Vs Dubai – Political Comparison
Dubai, being global business hub, is the fourth most visited city in the world. Dubai is more popular city than Abu Dhabi. However, Abu Dhabi being capital of the country is politically more powerful. King of Abu Dhabi is President of UAE where as King of Dubai is Vice President & Prime Minister of UAE.
Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, King of Abu Dhabi is considered as the most powerful person in the middle east.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai – Area Comparison
Below table gives you idea about area of Abu Dhabi and Dubai Cities and Emirates.
| Name | Area in km2 | Area in mi2 | Area in % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi City | 972 | 375 | – |
| Dubai City | ~1165 | ~450 | – |
| Abu Dhabi Emirate | 67,340 | 26,000 | 86.7 |
| Dubai Emirate | 3,885 | 1,500 | 5 |
| United Arab Emirates | 77,700 | 30,000 | 100 |
Dubai city is bigger in area than Abu Dhabi city. However, Abu Dhabi emirate is bigger than Dubai emirate. Abu Dhabi City area is 972 km2 (375 mi2) where as Dubai City area is approximately 1165 km2 (450 mi2). Abu Dhabi Emirate area is 67,340 km2 where as Dubai Emirate area is 3,885 km2.
Abu Dhabi emirate occupies 86.7% area of the total United Arab Emirates area and Dubai Emirate only 5% area of total United Arab Emirates area.
UAE area is approximately same as South Carolina area or double that of The Netherlands area.
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai – Population Comparison
Below table gives you idea about population of Abu Dhabi and Dubai Cities and Emirates.
| Name | Population | Population (in %) |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi City | 1,450,000 | – |
| Dubai City | 3,331,420 | – |
| Abu Dhabi Emirate | 2,784,490 | 29.0 |
| Dubai Emirate | 4,177,059 | 42.8 |
| United Arab Emirates | 9,599,353 | 100 |
Although Dubai is smaller in terms of area than Abu Dhabi, Dubai is bigger in population. Abu Dhabi City population is 1,450,000 where as Dubai City population is 3,331,420 . Abu Dhabi Emirate population is 2,784,490 where as Dubai Emirate population is 4,177,059.
Abu Dhabi and Dubai emirates make up 71.8% of country’s total population.
UAE (Including Abu Dhabi/Dubai/Others) Population Nationality Wise
United Arab Emirates’ total population is 9,599,353. However, it is notable that Emirati (local) population is only 11.48% which is lowest citizen population percentage in the world. Largest community in UAE is South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi etc) which make up 59.48% population.
Local population (Emirati) is around 20% in Abu Dhabi Emirate and around 10% Dubai Emirate. However still United Arab Emirates’ ethos is Emirati. Below table shows United Arab Emirates’ population country wise.
| Nationality | Population in Millions | % Population of UAE |
|---|---|---|
| India | 2.623 | 27.49 |
| Pakistan | 1.211 | 12.69 |
| Emirati (UAE Citizens) | 1.095 | 11.48 |
| Bangladesh | 0.706 | 7.40 |
| Philipines | 0.530 | 5.56 |
| Iran | 0.454 | 4.76 |
| Egypt | 0.404 | 4.23 |
| Nepal | 0.303 | 3.17 |
| Sri Lanka | 0.303 | 3.17 |
| China | 0.202 | 2.11 |
| All Other Countries | 1.711 | 17.94 |
| United Arab Emirates | 9.599 | 100 |
As majority of the population of United Arab Emirates is of expats coming here for work, men constitute 72% of population where as women constitute only 28% of the population.
UAE (Including Abu Dhabi/Dubai/Others) Population By Religion
| Religion | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Islam | 70 |
| Christianity | 14 |
| Hinduism | 10 |
| Others (Buddhism, Baha’i faith etc) | 6 |
| All | 100 |
Population Growth – Abu Dhabi Vs Dubai
Dubai population grew more rapidly than Abu Dhabi in recent years. You can see growth data since 1980 in the tables below.
Population Growth Data of Abu Dhabi Emirate
| Year | Source | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Census | 451,848 |
| 1985 | Census | 566,036 |
| 1995 | Census | 942,463 |
| 2005 | Census | 1,399,484 |
| 2010 | Official Estimate | 1,967,659 |
| 2015 | Official Estimate | 2,784,490 |
Population Growth Data of Dubai City
| Year | Source | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Census | 276,301 |
| 1985 | Census | 370,788 |
| 1995 | Census | 689,420 |
| 2005 | Census | 1,321,453 |
| 2010 | Official Estimate | 1,837,610 |
| 2015 | Official Estimate | 2,383,017 |
Abu Dhabi vs Dubai – Economy Comparison
Abu Dhabi is the richest city in the world with per capita income of USD 130,000 where as Dubai’s per capita income is USD 44,000. GDP of Abu Dhabi Emirate is USD 249 Billion where as Dubai Emirate’s GDP is USD 105 Billion.
| Indicator | Abu Dhabi Emirate | Dubai Emirate |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | USD 249 Billion | USD 105 Billion |
| Per Capita Income | USD 130,000 | USD 44,000 |
| Oil % Out Of Total GDP | 35.9% | 1% |
| Important Sectors of Economy | Oil and Gas | Business Hub, Tourism |
| Oil Reserve Barrels | 92 Billion | 4 Billion |
| Tourists Per Year | 4.875 Million | 15.93 Million |
| Biggest Company | ADNOC | Emirates Group |
| Biggest Listed Company By Revenue | Etisalat | Emaar Properties |
| Biggest Listed Company By Value | First Abu Dhabi Bank | Emirates Group |
| Sovereign Fund | ~USD 1238 Billion | ~USD 299 Billion |
UAE has seventh largest oil reserves in the world. Abu Dhabi’s economy still heavily depends on Crude Oil exports where as Dubai’s economy depends on Business hub, Tourism. Abu Dhabi has 92 billion barrels of Oil Reserve where as Dubai has only 4 billion. Both the emirates Abu Dhabi and Dubai are trying to make economy diverse to make it business hub, increase trade and tourism.
Oil and Gas constitute around 35.9% of total economy of Abu Dhabi Emirate where as it constitute only 1% of the total economy of Dubai. ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company) of Abu Dhabi is biggest company in the UAE having revenue around USD 60 Billion. ADNOC company changed the economy of the country since it found oil in Abu Dhabi. Emirates airlines based out of Dubai is one of the biggest airlines in the world and is rated as best airlines in the world.
Etisalat, the telecommunication giant is the biggest listed company by revenue in Abu Dhabi with revenue of USD 14.3 Billion where as Emaar Properties who built Burj Khalifa is the biggest listed company by revenue in Dubai with USD 7.1 Billion. Aldar is biggest real estate company in Abu Dhabi who have built Yas Mall, WTC. First Abu Dhabi Bank is the biggest company by market value in Abu Dhabi with USD 47.8 Billion value where as Emirates Group is the biggest company by market value in Dubai with USD 18.2 Billion value.
Sovereign funds in UAE are third largest in the world with USD 1.6 trillion. Out of this, Abu Dhabi owns around USD 900 Billion. Four major Sovereign Funds in Abu Dhabi are Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Fund (USD 708 Billion), Mubadala Fund (USD 284 Billion), Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company PJSC (USD 159Billion) & Emirates Investment Authority (USD 87 Billion). Total Emirati (local) population of Abu Dhabi is around 500,000 which means the investment is USD 2.0 Million per citizen. Comparatively, Dubai based sovereign fund Investment Corporation of Dubai has total assets of USD 299 Billion.
Dubai is fifth most visited city in the world and first in the Middle East with 15.93 Million visitors per year. Abu Dhabi is visited by 4.875 Million visitors per year. Tourism is one of the most important sector ofd economy for Dubai where as Abu Dhabi government is also trying to make it more popular with tourists by building new museums, parks.
UAE does not have any corporate tax or income tax. However, it has only 5% VAT as sales tax.
Australia and UK are one of the biggest FDI investors in UAE. Abu Dhabi had USD 0.9 Billion GDP in 1970 which grew to USD 247.47 Billion in 2012 which means around 18% growth per year. 2008-09 recession hit hard the economy of Dubai but it was bailed out by Abu Dhabi by USD 20 Billion.
US, UK and some Indian IT professionals work here as expats and they get good salary (few thousand AED). However, some of the construction workers or workers such as office boys, taxi drivers get very less salary (1500 to 3000 AED) but their stay and food is generally included in the package. Owner of UAE based supermarket chain Lulu, Yusuff Ali is the richest expat in the UAE.
