Abu Dhabi, UAE – The UAE’s fertility rate has plummeted over the past three decades, but projections suggest a modest recovery in the coming years, according to the World Fertility Report 2024 published by the United Nations.
The report highlighted a decline from 3.76 live births per woman in 1994 to just 1.21 in 2024, a sharp drop that places the UAE among countries with one of the lowest birth rates globally. However, the study forecasts a slight increase to 1.34 live births per woman by 2054.
Lifestyle and Policy Changes at Play
Medical experts in the UAE have attributed this decline to lifestyle factors, including delayed marriages, career-oriented mindsets, and rising living costs.
Many residents prioritize professional growth over early family formation, leading to lower fertility rates. Doctors have also pointed to stress, dietary habits, and limited physical activity as contributing factors.
In response, the UAE government has intensified efforts to promote family growth and fertility rates, particularly among Emirati nationals.
Authorities recently established the Ministry of Family and upgraded the Ministry of Community Development to the Ministry of Community Empowerment to provide stronger support for family-building initiatives.
Additionally, the Department of Community Development – Abu Dhabi (DCD) has introduced a programme featuring six initiatives aimed at supporting Emirati families.
These measures include incentives for marriage, financial assistance, and childcare support to encourage larger families and strengthen societal cohesion.
During a virtual session of the Federal National Council (FNC) in January 2025, citizens urged the government to introduce reduced working hours and longer maternity leave as part of a nationwide strategy to boost fertility rates.
Many mothers expressed concerns that long workdays leave them with little time for family planning or raising children, making it difficult to consider expanding their families.
A Global and Regional Challenge
The UN report emphasized that fertility rates below 2 births per woman are becoming the global norm, with long-term consequences such as population decline and ageing societies.
The situation in the Gulf region mirrors this trend, with neighboring countries also witnessing declining birth rates.
Saudi Arabia, the most populous country in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), saw its fertility rate drop from 5.16 in 1994 to 2.31 in 2024, with projections indicating a further decline to 1.85 by 2054.
Similarly, Oman’s fertility rate has fallen from 5.36 in 1994 to 2.51 in 2024, while Kuwait recorded the lowest fertility rate in the region at 1.51 births per woman.
Qatar’s fertility rate declined from 3.66 in 1994 to 1.72 in 2024, and Bahrain reported a similar drop, reaching 1.8 births per woman.
A Global Trend of Declining Fertility
The UN report found that the global fertility rate in 2024 stood at 2.2 births per woman, significantly lower than 5 births in the 1960s and 3.3 in 1990. The trend is expected to continue, with projections indicating a fall to 1.8 births per woman by 2100.
Over 55 per cent of the world’s countries—home to two-thirds of the global population—now report fertility rates below 2.1 births per woman, including India, China, the US, Brazil, and Russia.
Some nations have seen fertility rates drop below 1.4 births per woman, with China, South Korea, Singapore, and Ukraine recording rates below 1 birth per woman.
As governments worldwide grapple with the implications of declining fertility, the UAE’s proactive policy measures may serve as a model for boosting family growth while ensuring a stable future population.