Is Everyone in Dubai Rich?

By Anna Duncan

Dubai, the city of luxury and opulence, is often perceived as a place where everyone is rich. However, this is a common misconception as the reality is far from it.

What makes people think everyone in Dubai is rich?

Dubai is home to some of the most extravagant buildings, luxurious hotels, and high-end shopping malls in the world. The city also hosts several events and festivals that cater to the affluent community. This lavish lifestyle of a certain section of people in Dubai has created a perception that everyone living there must be wealthy.

Moreover, Dubai’s tax-free status and high-paying jobs in certain sectors have attracted skilled professionals from around the world. These expatriates enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with higher salaries than they might earn back home.

However, this perception could not be further from reality.

According to recent statistics by the Dubai Statistics Center, only about 12% of Dubai’s population earns more than AED 20,000 ($5,445) per month. The majority of the population earns between AED 5,000 ($1,361) and AED 10,000 ($2,722) per month. This income bracket includes both blue-collar workers and white-collar professionals.

The cost of living

While Dubai may offer tax-free salaries for expatriates in certain sectors like finance or technology, it comes with an exorbitant cost of living. Rent for an apartment can easily take up more than half of an average person’s salary. Plus, utilities like electricity and water can also add up quickly.

Furthermore, luxury goods such as cars or designer clothes come at a premium in Dubai due to high import taxes.

The gap between rich and poor

Like any other major city in the world, Dubai also has its share of income inequality issues. While some people live lavishly in their high-rise apartments and drive around in luxury cars, others struggle to make ends meet. This gap is evident in the stark difference between the city’s glamorous downtown area and its labor camps.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Dubai may be known for its luxurious lifestyle, not everyone living there is rich. The city has a diverse population with varying income levels, and many people struggle to make ends meet due to the high cost of living.

It’s essential to understand that Dubai is not just a city of glitz and glamor, but it also has its share of social and economic issues like any other major city. So, next time you hear someone say that everyone in Dubai is rich, you know better!