23.04.2026
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What is it about? The cities of the UAE are designed to allow you to create a wonderful life according to your preferences and needs. And thanks to this, the majority of the population in the emirates consists of foreigners.
Which city is the best? Dubai offers various opportunities for work, study, leisure and entertainment, and is also famous for its shopping centres, restaurants and nightlife. But it's not the only one in the rating of the most popular UAE cities.
The United Arab Emirates is a land of surprises that has managed to gain respect and recognition at the international level over the past decades thanks to achievements in various fields.
Each of the country's seven emirates is a unique combination of incredible and magical: from artificial islands to snow mountains in the middle of the desert. Large UAE cities have advanced urban design and favourable living climate, making them the best place for leisure, residence and business activities.
In 1971, the emirates united and since then have managed to achieve incredible heights in various fields in a relatively short period. Thanks to rich oil and gas reserves, the country is progressing at an incredible speed, attracting foreigners. For example, Dubai's population has increased by more than 165 times over the past 70 years.
| Place | City | Emirate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dubai | Dubai | 3,646,010 |
| 2 | Abu Dhabi | Abu Dhabi | 1,935,234 |
| 3 | Sharjah | Sharjah | 1,332,455 |
| 4 | Ajman | Ajman | 403,923 |
| 5 | Al Ain | Abu Dhabi | 374 000 |
| 6 | Ras Al Khaimah | Ras Al Khaimah | 230,903 |
| 7 | Fujairah | Fujairah | 145,940 |
| 8 | Umm Al Quwain | Umm Al Quwain | 72,936 |
The majority of the UAE population consists not of locals but of expatriates. Europeans, Americans, Asians and many others flock to this region in search of a better life and a more profitable work. Although not everyone manages to fulfil their ambitions in the UAE, the country's government offers various prospects for both businessmen and employees.
The UAE offers foreigners a wide choice of formats for business registration, tax exemption, a developed infrastructure and affordable workforce. This is just part of the many reasons that attract foreign investors. Employees are also in favourable conditions.
Although significant income should not be expected when working in the service industry, agro-industry or construction, the upper and middle managers rarely regret their choice, as their standard of living in the Arab Emirates is higher, and earnings are many times more than what they could get in their home country.
Usually, expats tend to choose between Dubai or Abu Dhabi as their place of residence. These cities are indeed the most prosperous, wealthy, and populated. There are many vacancies for foreign specialists, free economic zones for entrepreneurs, a diverse residential real estate market, and many leisure options.
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However, about 80% of the UAE territory is not suitable for living in, which limits the choice. Nevertheless, those who have lived in the UAE for quite a long time recommend newcomers to consider settling in six other cities of the country. Let's examine in more detail the best cities that are part of the UAE that can become an excellent place to live.
This city is the largest in the UAE and the capital of the emirate of the same name. Dubai's government has always stood out for its innovative approaches to management, as it was here that the country's first free economic zone was created, and the construction boom began, which continues to this day.
Dubai's government was the first to realize how beneficial it was for state finances to attract foreign tourists, businessmen, and workers. Today, Dubai is the country's key seaport, financial and business centre, and aviation hub, with no trace left of its past of fishing huts and mangrove swamps.
Many of those who aspire to move to Arab countries tend to choose Dubai for residence, attracted by its unique advantages:
Like any other metropolis, Dubai also has its disadvantages:
Abu Dhabi is the capital of not only its emirate but also the entire UAE. Government authorities are located in this city. Foreigners often compare it to the embodiment of legendary Arab wealth, where oil flows under their feet.
The city is indeed permeated with luxury, and its residents live in abundance. Abu Dhabi acts not only as an administrative but also industrial, financial, commercial, and cultural heart of the UAE. It is the main source of state budget income, as it contributes over 50% to the country's GDP.
Almost two million people currently live in Abu Dhabi, among whom people from other countries predominate.
High-rise buildings resembling New York skyscrapers adorn the city's waterfront, while the rest of it is built mainly with luxury villas and elegant townhouses, where residents lead a life of prosperity and tranquility. Several free economic zones operate in the urban area, which opens up business opportunities for both company owners and employees.
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Abu Dhabi attracts migrants with its main advantages:
Still, Abu Dhabi has its weaknesses:
This ancient city, part of the Abu Dhabi emirate, is located 148 kilometres away from the capital and is the fourth most populous within the Arab Emirates (almost half a million residents). It has become one of the country's key cultural and tourist centres.
Despite the absence of seaside resorts (due to lack of coastline), the city of Al Ain entices tourists with its unique attractions, including a university, mineral springs, the largest UAE zoo, a historical fort, shopping centres, and numerous park zones with fountains.
Undoubtedly, the number of business prospects and open job positions in Al Ain significantly falls behind Dubai and Abu Dhabi, however, it steadily progresses, making it a potential competitor in the future. Today's Al Ain is a green city with no traffic jams, affordable housing, high security level, and excellent conditions for life and professional growth.
Over the past five years, its territory has significantly expanded through the integration of adjacent settlements. It is becoming a preferred residence for expats seeking to find work in manufacturing or manage their own industrial enterprises.
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Sharjah is distinguished by the presence of extensive industrial areas and has 40% of the country's industrial capacity. In the city, you can find many interesting places, such as the third largest fountain in the UAE, King Faisal Mosque, watchtowers, an amusement park, and much more.
Sharjah's advantages:
However, Sharjah has one disadvantage. This emirate, along with its capital, is one of the most conservative places in the Arab Emirates. In this region, the alcohol ban is fully observed. Tourists don't have access to entertainment like hookah bars.
Living in Sharjah, you'll have to be attentive to clothing choices, especially for females: avoid wearing short skirts, shorts, and clothes with open necklines or shoulders.
This town, despite its small size compared to others, stands out for its unique cozy atmosphere. About 50 thousand residents live in it, making it seventh in population. The city is located on the coast of the Gulf of Oman and besides the international airport also has a seaport.
The Fujairah emirate operates a free economic zone, creating excellent conditions for foreign businessmen's activities. Although the number of vacancies here is not as large as in metropolises, it won’t be hard to find a suitable job. Additionally, the cost of living in Fujairah is affordable, and the comfort level is quite high.
The city's iconic symbol is an ancient fort with well preserved battle ruins. The emirate is distinguished by picturesque mountain landscapes, making it ideal for walks and active pastimes. Unlike Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Fujairah is not a metropolis; it is ideal for families preferring tranquility and avoiding urban bustle.
The city of Ras Al Khaimah is a key administrative and economic hub of the UAE, where today there are more than 100 thousand residents. This ancient city was originally called Julfar and is located in the northern part of the country, washed by the Persian Gulf waters. The gulf waters divide the city into two parts: the old one, abundant with historical monuments, and the new one, which attracts expats for life and business.
Ras Al Khaimah is famous for its outstanding international transport connections, including seaport and airport. Travel from Ras Al Khaimah to Dubai along a modern highway with a perfect surface takes one hour.
Expats highlight the following among the important advantages of this city:
Perhaps the most significant drawback of Ras Al Khaimah is the absence of a public transport system, except for taxi services. Living here requires a personal car, whether for moving around the city or traveling to neighboring emirates, as Ras Al Khaimah is not connected with other UAE regions by either bus or other types of public transport.
Ajman is distinguished by its high population density by UAE standards, where about two hundred and fifty thousand residents live. Located on the Persian Gulf coast, the city has a developed seaport open to international shipping.
Among its attractions are such significant places as the museum, Al Nuaimi Mosque, an ancient watchtower, and a sports complex where camel racing competitions are regularly held. In Ajman, the traditional craft — the construction of dhow sailing vessels — is preserved and developed to this day.
By turning your attention to this city, you'll find a whole range of possibilities:
Ajman doesn't have significant drawbacks, however, it can provide tourists and employees with fewer chances for professional growth and leisure. Nevertheless, for work and leisure, you can always consider nearby Dubai, which is only 15 kilometers away.
This cozy city occupies a space of just over two thousand square kilometers, spreading out on a sandy cape surrounded by Persian Gulf waters. The population is about seventy thousand people.
For workers who came to the UAE for earnings, the local town might seem unattractive due to lack of jobs. However, for businessmen, there is an opportunity to register their company in one of the free economic zones.
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Usually, people choose Umm Al Quwain because:
The main disadvantages of Umm Al Quwain are its remoteness, a weak job market, and an underdeveloped real estate sector.
Ajman has no oil reserves, which makes it not the wealthiest of emirates and, consequently, its city is poor. However, nearby, in the territory of the Masfout enclave, there are mineral springs, which are the main source of drinking water for the UAE and even some neighbouring states.
The city of Fujairah is one of the most picturesque corners of the UAE on the eastern edge of the country on the shore of the Gulf of Oman. Fujairah is famous for its amazing beaches with clear water and magnificent mountain views.
Fujairah stands out for its abundance of greenery and cool climate.
Obviously, the UAE's fame is not limited to just Dubai and Abu Dhabi. In this country, there are many popular cities capable of attracting foreigners' attention.
Article header image source: Nejc Soklič / unsplash.com
