UAE Ministry of Economy unveils results of household expenditure and income survey

According to the survey, the average monthly household income of UAE residents is Dhs18,248.60 and expenditure is Dhs11,241.20. The percentage of expenditure on housing and utility is 39.4% of the total income, while expenditure on food and beverages is 14.2%.

The average size of a household in the country is 5.1 with UAE national households comprising 19.1%; expatriate households accounting for 61.9% and households sharing accommodation being 19%.

His Excellency Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, UAE Minister of Economy, said the survey was undertaken as part of the strategic growth initiatives of the Federal Government to ascertain the income-expenditure status of households in the UAE, as a tool for policy making.

Al Mansouri added:

"The results will support decision-makers in implementing developmental plans and formulating socio-economic policies, and will also cater for the statistical requirements of international organisations including the World Bank."

He added, "The results will help us to further enhance the lifestyle standards of residents in the country through judicious planning, especially in preparing consumer price indices and inflation rates in line with international standards. The survey also highlights the strong advances in statistical data collection and analyses established in coordination with the World Bank."

In other highlights, the survey reveals that the average monthly expenditure of national households is Dhs22,989 against an average monthly income of Dhs36,438.10. The average non-national household income is Dhs15, 074.30 and expenditure is Dhs9579. The monthly average expenditure in food and beverages is Dhs1, 595.80 and on non-edible commodities and services is Dhs9645.40.

Mr Rashed Al Suwaidi, Assistant Undersecretary for Statistics and Planning in the Ministry of Economy, said the survey highlights the spending trends in the UAE. "The average expenditure of nationals and non-nationals vary for different commodities with several factors influencing the decision. The survey helps us to further establish standards in setting consumer price indices, forecasting inflation trends and identifying shifts in spending patterns by linking them to education, career, nationality and place of residence."