An official study in the UAE expresses concern over the rapid increase in the expatriate population, pointing out expats who formed 36.5 percent of the population in 1968 now make up 75.6 percent. In the past five years the country's population has grown from 2.4 million to 3.3 million, mainly due to the rise in the expatriates.
According to the report, cited by Gulf News, UAE authorities will have to find jobs for 100,000 nationals who will complete their studies by 2005, according to a new demographic study, cited by Gulf News.
The study, carried in the latest issue of the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (ADCCI) monthly magazine, "Abu Dhabi Economy,” said the solution to the problem was not as simple as ending the contracts of foreign workers and giving their jobs to nationals.
The study states that 32.6 percent of the total population has the skills to take on a variety of jobs and the private sector holds the key to emiratization.
"Only 196,000 of the 600,000 nationals living in the UAE are aged between 20 and 50. Of these, 25,000 have degrees and a further 21,000 are pursuing higher education," said the report quoting statistics from Tanmia, the National Human Resources Development and Employment Authority – Albawaba.com
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