Abu Dhabi's population soars in 2005-2011

Abu Dhabi’s population grew by an annual average around 7.7% between 2005 and 2011, far above the 4% rate between 1995 and 2005, local website Emirates 24/7 reported on Thursday citing the Abu Dhabi statistics bureau.

The report estimated Abu Dhabi’s total population at 2.12 million at the end of 2011 compared with 1.96 million at the end of 2010.

It estimated expatriates at nearly 1.68 million and Emiratis at about 438,000 at the end of 2011, with nationals accounting for around 20% of the total population.

The Abu Dhabi Statistics Bureau has not given a reason for the high population growth over the past six years but analysts attributed it to a sharp rise in crude prices, which pushed the emirate and neighboring Gulf countries into another boom, the report said.

According to the statistics bureau, all the growth was in the expatriate population, which increased by an average 8.8% annually during that period compared with 3.8% during 1995-2005 and 5.3% during 1985-1995.

The report showed growth in the native population slipped to 4.1% during 2005-2011 from 4.6% during 1995-2005 and 5.1% during 1985-1995.