Over 1 million reside in Sharjah: Census

Sharjah - The emirate houses 1.4 million people of which 175,432 are Emirati nationals who constitute 12 per cent of overall population.

The Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah (DSCD) has unveiled the results of the Sharjah Census carried out in 2015.
According to the results published by the department in the book Sharjah Census 2015, the emirate houses 1.4 million people of which 175,432 are Emirati nationals who constitute 12 per cent of overall population. The number of non-national residents is 1.23 million. The Sharjah Census provides precise statistical data in terms of population size, distribution, demographic make-up and socio-economic characteristics.
Sharjah City headed the population list for each municipality, with 1.27 million people (90.6%). Khorfakkan City ranked second with 39,151 (2.8%), and Kalba city came third with 37,545 (2.7%). Al Dhaid City has 20,165 (1.4%); Dibba Al Hisn City has 12,573 (0.9%); Al Madam City has 11,120 people (0.8%); Mleiha City 4,768 people (0.3%); Al Bataeh City has 3,958 (0.3%); and Al Hamriyah City has 3,297 people (0.2%).
More than half of the population in Sharjah is in the age group of 20-39 years, reveals the census. As many as 769,813 (54.75%) people come in this age group while 285,143 people (20.28%) are in the age group of 40-69 years old. Only 342 people (0.02%) are more than 90 years old while 8,784 people (0.62%) are in the age group of 70-89 years. However, 208,025 people (14.79%) are children below nine years old and 132,055 people (9.93%) are between the age of 10 and 19 years.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Thani, Chairman of the DSCD, said: "We are delighted to unveil the results of the Sharjah Census 2015, which would have not succeeded without the support of His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. We also extend our gratitude to all supervisors and enumerators, as well as the citizens and residents for their cooperation in implementing this huge national project."
Al Thani stressed that the Sharjah census is an important data source which is instrumental in planning and implementing sustainable development strategies, and supports the national agenda of the Emirate of Sharjah and of the UAE. He pointed out that the results of the Sharjah Census help to launch development projects and highlights the potential present and future needs.
Education
The distribution of population by education stage is as follows: There are 253,105 male and female students in total; 32,882 students (12.99%) go to kindergarten; 102,692 students (40.57%) attend elementary school; 43,659 students (17.24%) attend preparatory school; 34,028 students (13.44%) are at secondary school; 2,435 students (0.96%) are studying for diplomas; 1,088 students (0.42%) are studying for higher diplomas; 32,685 students (21.91%) are at university; 3,177 students (1.25%) are studying for MSc and 304 students (0.12%) are studying for PhD.
Employment
There are 1.12 million people, who are aged above 15 years, of which 813,554 people are employed by others. While 13,219 are self-employed; 17,898 people are business owners; 705 people work for free; 84 people work at home; 8,186 people are unemployed who have worked before; 32,724 are unemployed who have never worked before; 1,932 people are students who also work; 57,776 people are full-time students; 129,632 people do domestic work only and 5,462 people are self-supporting. The census also shows that 11,008 people are retired and 6,755 people are unable to work.
The workforce includes 855,709 people, and the distribution of workforce by employment sector is as follows: 29,673 people work for federal government; 45,434 people work for local government; 575,610 people work in the private sector; 17,688 people work in the semi-government sector; 912 people work in the foreign sector; 433 people work in the diplomatic corps, regional or global organisations and 35,514 people work for families, including domestic workers.
Buildings
The overall number of multi-storeyed buildings in the Emirate of Sharjah is 6,991 buildings, which includes 240,815 apartments. Sharjah City has the largest number of multi-storeyed buildings with 6,195 buildings, which includes 243,961 apartments.
The distribution of buildings by type of building is as follows: The total number of 84,951 buildings includes 24,900 villas; 6,991 multi-story buildings; 17,227 Arabic houses; 3,711 attachments, 95 palaces, 4,865 single rooms, 915 tents, 2,784 warehouses, 733 caravan, 1,686 stores, 6,923 establishments and 9,580 buildings under construction.
Marital status
As far as marital status is concerned, the census indicates that for nationals there are 30,424 males and 29,728 females who are married; 22,547 males and 22,620 females who have never married; 858 males and 2,478 females who are divorced; 296 male widowers and 3,620 female widows; and 188 abandoned wives. For non-nationals, there are 454,597 males and 209,818 females who are married; 261,497 males and 67,154 females who have never married; 827 males and 3,951 females who are divorced; 824 males who are widowers and 5,379 females who are widows.
Shaikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Director of the DSCD, said: "After completing, reviewing and publishing the Sharjah Census 2015, we will link the database of its results to the database of Sharjah governmental departments as well as the federal departments. This will enable them to lay down and implement plans and strategies for social and economic development.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• Sharjah