South Africans in the United Arab Emirates

South Africans in the United Arab Emirates
Total population
50,000 - 100,000
Regions with significant populations
Abu Dhabi · Dubai

There is a large population of South Africans in the United Arab Emirates, estimated at between 40,000 and 100,000 as of 2008.[1] Time Out magazine estimated that 50,000 South Africans resided in Dubai alone as of 2009.[2] The influx of South Africans has been so large as to lead South African newspaper Independent Online to unofficially dub the United Arab Emirates "South Africa's 10th province".[1]

Contents

Demographic characteristics

Half of the South Africans in the UAE hold higher educational qualifications, and only 15% work in entry-level positions.[1] They are motivated to emigrate from South Africa to escape the country's high crime levels and gain international experience.[3] Additional attractions include the high quality of health care, low cost of cars compared to SA, and the salaries; conversely, SA employees are attractive to UAE firms because they demand lower salaries than their European peers.[4] Some also describe "reverse discrimination" as the motivation for their departure from SA.[5] They tend to be white, male, under 35, and English- rather than Afrikaans-speaking. Roughly 15% intend to remain in the UAE for 10 years or longer.[3] However, most do not to see the UAE as a long-term home, and stay in the country for shorter times than SA expats in traditional emigration destinations such as London.[1] Nevertheless, there are worries that SA migration to the UAE could become a permanent "brain drain" for the country.[6]

Organisations

Scholars International Academy has offered courses in Afrikaans to South African children in Dubai since 2007. There is also an Afrikaans-speaking church, and a South African Women's Association.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Gerardy, Justine (2008-01-12), "Welcome to South Africa's 10th province", Independent Online (South Africa), http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=13&art_id=vn20080112085218572C345706&singlepage=1, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  2. ^ "Community Features: South Africans in Dubai", Time Out Dubai, 2009-07-06, http://www.timeoutdubai.com/community/features/9557-south-africans-in-dubai/page/1, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  3. ^ a b "Why South Africans come to the UAE", 7Days, 2006-04-30, http://www.7days.ae/storydetails.php?id=11118&page=local%20news&title=Why%20South%20Africans%20come%20to%20the%20UAE, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  4. ^ Nevill, Glenda (November 2004), "Home and Away - South Africans living in Dubai", Property Magazine, http://www.thepropertymag.co.za/pages/452774491/articles/2004/November/Home_and_Away_-_South_Africans_living_in_Dubai.asp, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  5. ^ Maierbrugger, Arno (2008-07-03), "'Circumstances' force tough decision on South Africans", Gulf News, http://gulfnews.com/news/gulf/uae/general/circumstances-force-tough-decision-on-south-africans-1.116406, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  6. ^ FIfe, Ian (2005-12-09), "South Africans in Dubai: SA's loss of skills could soon become permanent", Financial Mail, http://free.financialmail.co.za/report05/dubai05/cdubai.htm, retrieved 2010-05-25 
  7. ^ Otto, Hanti (2007-08-13), "Afrikaans to be taught in Dubai", Independent Online, http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?click_id=13&set_id=1&art_id=vn20070813040552919C275349, retrieved 2010-05-25 

External links

Australia · United Arab Emirates · United Kingdom · United States