# Emirati women economic and educational participation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/emirati-women-economic-and-educational-participation
> Updated: 2026-09-03T03:10:09.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 3.

Recent data indicates significant growth in the economic and educational participation of Emirati women within the United Arab Emirates.

In Sharjah, Emirati women invested AED 2.7 billion ($735.2 million) in the property market between January and August 2026. This represents a 1.2 percent increase in transaction value compared to the same period in 2025. The number of Emirati female property owners rose 4.2 percent, totaling 3,737 women owning 3,385 properties. Officials attributed these trends to the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women 2023-2031.

In the workforce, the Dubai Government reported that 12,571 Emirati women are employed across government entities, accounting for 54.7 percent of all Emirati citizens working for the Dubai Government. Of these, 2,289 women hold leadership or supervisory roles in sectors such as healthcare, energy, and security. Additionally, the UAE's higher education sector saw high registration rates, with 64,859 new students enrolling during the past academic year.

Newer data from Abu Dhabi shows a 6.4 percent increase in new economic licences issued to Emirati female entrepreneurs during the first half of 2026. A total of 3,058 licences were issued to Emirati women between January and June 2026, compared to 2,873 during the same period in 2025. This expansion in entrepreneurship aligns with the National Strategy for Empowerment of Emirati Women (2023–2031).

## Timeline

### 2026-09-03: UAE business activity grows with rising female entrepreneurship and digital expansion

Business activity is rising across the UAE, with Abu Dhabi reporting a 6.4% increase in licences for Emirati women and Dubai expanding its digital ecosystem through AI and new investor registration tools.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-business-activity-grows-with-rising-female-entrepreneurship-and-digital-expansion

### 2026-08-31: UAE reports growth in Emirati female workforce and university enrollment

The UAE reports strong growth in human capital, with 12,571 Emirati women in Dubai government roles and university enrollment reaching over 218,000 students.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/uae-reports-growth-in-emirati-female-workforce-and-university-enrollment

### 2026-08-27: Sharjah real estate: Emirati women invest AED 2.7 billion

Emirati women invested AED 2.7 billion in Sharjah real estate from January to August 2026, with female property ownership rising 4.2 percent compared to the previous year.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sharjah-real-estate-emirati-women-invest-aed-27-billion

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Cite as: Emirati women economic and educational participation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/emirati-women-economic-and-educational-participation