It may be a surprise to read that the majority of residents in Dubai aren’t actually from the United Arab Emirates. Interestingly, only about 17% of people living in Dubai are citizens of the UAE. This is for multiple reasons, but a large reason why is that the city is constantly being constructed by foreign workers who travel to Dubai to make money.
About 83% of the population in Dubai is made up of immigrants who come from Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. The large immigrant population means the city is alive with many different cultures. However, there are issues that have arisen due to the mixed population of Dubai. There is an enormous wealth gap between immigrant workers and the citizens of the UAE. Wealthy citizens enjoy the riches of Dubai, the golden cars, and luxurious mansions, while workers who come to Dubai to perform construction often have to endure very poor working conditions as well as poor living conditions. Citizens of the UAE receive free medical care, free education, and free rent. In contrast, immigrant workers often live in labor camps and have to work outside in the blistering heat for very little money compared to citizens.
Wild Pets
In 2015, Dubai’s GDP was greater than $105 billion. The city’s wealth is visible in numerous ways from its luxury squad cars to its massive buildings. One perhaps more surprising display of wealth, though is the rather popular practice of owning exotic animals. People in Dubai own animals such as monkeys, baboons, and lions—oh my!
It seems the wilder the animal the more it is desired to be a pet. It is often inferred that the more exotic the pet, the more wealthy the owner of the said pet is. The social status that comes with this practice seems to be the biggest incentive for it, which can be a bit of an issue. In 2017, the government banned the practice of owning and keeping exotic pets. However, people still break the law. Not without consequence, though. Owning a lion or a tiger can get you 6 months in jail and a $136,000 fine. Now that’s a wild risk!
There is Robot Camel Racing in Dubai
Just as the national pastime in the U.S. is baseball and Canada’s main sport is hockey, the national sport in Dubai is camel racing. However, the camel can only support so much weight and race at the same time, so only children can participate in the racing of actual camels.
The need for children to race camels has caused major humanitarian issues in the past. Children have been illegally trafficked into the United Arab Emirates for the sole purpose of participating in camel racing. Luckily, this process has largely been halted due to an unlikely solution. In Dubai, child-sized robots are used to participate in the beloved sport of camel racing. This isn’t a sport for those with shallow pockets though, robots range in price from $300 to $10,000!
Dubai is Hotter Than Hot
Dubai is located in the desert, which means it is very sunny almost every day and rarely rains. During January, the coldest month of the year in Dubai, temperatures average 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and 57 degrees Fahrenheit during the nighttime. While many people dread January temperatures in the places they are living, this time of year is probably a welcome respite from the insane heat for residents of Dubai!
On the other end of the seasonal spectrum, summertime in Dubai is not an enjoyable time of year. Summers are hot, windy, and humid. Temperatures average 106 degrees Fahrenheit, cooling down to around 86 degrees Fahrenheit at night. On extreme days though, temperatures can grow even higher. Make sure you bring a hat and lots of sunscreens if you choose to travel to Dubai!
There's Zero Debt Tolerance in Dubai
There are strict rules in Dubai regarding debt. If you rack up debt and aren’t able to pay it back, you could be in serious trouble. Residents who fall into default on credit cards or miss any payments that they owe are immediately sent to jail or deported.
For many foreigners, Dubai offers well-paying jobs, tax-free salaries, and up-scale accommodations that are hard to resist. However, the high-rolling lifestyle can be addictive and many individuals find it difficult to balance their spending habits with their paychecks. In this way, many end up racking up debt, which results in their deportation. Yikes!