United Arab Emirates Dirham flag

United Arab Emirates Dirham

درهم إماراتي

Currency Code

AED

ISO 784

Symbol

AED

Native: د.إ

Decimal Digits

2

Rounding: 0

Countries

AE

Using this currency

Currency Units

Major Unit

Name: dirham

Symbol: د.إ

Minor Unit

Name: fils

Symbol: فلس

Value: 0.01

Banknotes

Frequently Used

5 د.إ10 د.إ20 د.إ50 د.إ100 د.إ200 د.إ500 د.إ

Rarely Used

1000 د.إ

Coins

Frequently Used

50 فلس1 د.إ

Rarely Used

25 فلس1 فلس5 فلس10 فلس

Plural Forms

English Plural

UAE dirhams

Native Plural

دراهم إماراتية

Overview

The United Arab Emirates Dirham is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. It has been pegged to the US dollar since 1997 at a rate of 3.6725 AED = 1 USD. The UAE has one of the most stable currencies in the Middle East due to its oil wealth and prudent monetary policy.

Economy

  • United Arab Emirates is a member of GCC, Arab League, OIC, OPEC.
  • Main industries include: Oil and gas, Tourism, Aviation, Real estate, Financial services, Trade, Manufacturing.
  • United Arab Emirates is part of the World Trade Organization.
  • Imports are machinery, chemicals, food, textiles, transport equipment.
  • Major exports include crude oil, natural gas, re-exports, dried fish, dates.
  • GDP: $507.5 billion (2023, nominal).
  • GDP per capita: $51,475 (2023).
  • Unemployment rate: 2.1% (2023).
  • Inflation rate: 4.8% (2023).
  • Main trading partners: India, China, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Switzerland, Germany.
  • Trade agreements: GCC Common Market, UAE-India CEPA, Various bilateral agreements.

History

  • Previous currencies used: Qatar and Dubai riyal, Gulf rupee, Indian rupee.
  • The dirham was introduced in 1973, replacing the Qatar and Dubai riyal at par. The name 'dirham' is derived from the Greek word 'drachma'.
  • 1973: AED introduced, replacing Qatar and Dubai riyal
  • 1978: Pegged to IMF Special Drawing Rights
  • 1997: Pegged to US dollar at 3.6725 AED = 1 USD
  • 2018: Introduction of polymer banknotes
  • 2019: 50th anniversary commemorative currency series
  • Exchange rate peg: USD (1997-present) at 3.6725:1.
  • Exchange rate peg: IMF SDR (1978-1997).
  • Currently pegged to USD at 3.6725 AED = 1 USD.

General Information

  • ISO 4217 Code: AED
  • Symbols: AED/د.إ
  • Currency Subunits: 100 fils
  • Central Bank: Central Bank of the UAE
  • Monetary Policy: Currency board system maintaining USD peg. Focus on price stability and supporting economic growth while maintaining the fixed exchange rate.
  • Bills: 5 AED, 10 AED, 20 AED, 50 AED, 100 AED, 200 AED, 500 AED, 1000 AED
  • Coins: 1 fils, 5 fils, 10 fils, 25 fils, 50 fils, 1 dirham
  • USD Exchange Rate: 3.6725
  • Pegged To: USD at 3.6725 AED = 1 USD
  • Capital: Abu Dhabi
  • Population: 9,441,129 (2023 est.)
  • Area: 83,600 km²
  • Languages: Arabic (official), English, Hindi, Urdu, Persian, Tagalog
  • Time Zones: UTC+4 (Gulf Standard Time)
  • Government Type: Federal absolute monarchy
  • Head of Government: President (currently Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan)
  • Independence: December 2, 1971 (from United Kingdom)
  • Ethnic Groups: Emirati 11.6%, South Asian 59.4%, Egyptian 10.2%, Filipino 6.1%, Other 12.7%
  • Religions: Islam 76%, Christianity 9%, Hinduism 8%, Buddhism 2%, Other 5%
  • Literacy Rate: 93.8% (2015 est.)
  • Transport: Modern airports (Dubai International, Abu Dhabi), major ports (Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi), extensive road network, Dubai Metro
  • Communications: Advanced telecommunications, 99% internet penetration, widespread 5G coverage
  • Energy: Oil 37%, Natural gas 49%, Nuclear 9%, Solar 3%, Other renewables 2%
  • Countries Using This Currency: United Arab Emirates
  • Data Sources: Central Bank: Central Bank of the UAE (centralbank.ae), Economic Data: UAE Ministry of Economy, World Bank, IMF, Trade Data: UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, Demographic Data: UAE National Bureau of Statistics, Geographic Data: UAE National Center of Meteorology, Historical Data: Central Bank of UAE archives
  • Last Updated: 2025