Australians in the United Arab Emirates

Australians in the United Arab Emirates

Total population
16,000 (2015)[1][2] 0.17% of the UAE population[1]
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi · Dubai · Sharjah
Languages
English (Australian English) · Arabic
Religion
Christianity

Australians in the United Arab Emirates consist of 16,000 expatriates, most of whom live in Dubai and the capital of Abu Dhabi.[2][3]

Migration history

Australians are attracted by the lifestyle Dubai offers, including the wealth of outdoor activities for their families.[4] However, their population fell in 2009 due to the downturn in the economy of Dubai, as retrenched Australian expatriates with underwater real-estate loans fled the country to avoid debtor's prison.[5]

Organisations

In Dubai, Australian and New Zealander expatriates joined to set up the Australia New Zealand Association, which aims to provide mutual support for their communities in the entire UAE.[6]

The Australian International School, Sharjah is an established international school, catering to much of the Australian community. The school's education system and syllabus is Queensland-curriculum based.[7]

See also

• Australia–United Arab Emirates relations
• Unity Resources Group

References

1. "UAE´s population – by nationality". BQ Magazine. 12 April 2015. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11. Retrieved 13 June 2015.
2. "Bilateral relationship". Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Canberra. Archived from the original on 2015-03-29. Retrieved 2015-03-09.
3. Statistics - Numbers of Australians Overseas in 2001 Archived 2008-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
4. Gulfnews: InFocus Australia - Living it up in Dubai
5. The Daily Telegraph: Debt-laden, jobless Aussies flee Dubai
6. Gulfnews: Australian expatriates celebrate National Day
7. Australian International School, Sharjah

External links

• Australia New Zealand Association, UAE
• Aussies Abroad - Abu Dhabi