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Economy of Albania vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Albania has a GDP of $27B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 112/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Albania has $15.2B in government debt (56% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Albania vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Albania
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Albania UAE
2024 $27,046,429,297 $552,324,846,835
2023 $23,491,242,727 $522,622,191,967
2022 $19,017,247,014 $511,403,403,676
2021 $18,031,989,573 $422,441,388,700
2020 $15,241,458,745 $357,161,878,829
2019 $15,585,111,614 $433,926,208,305
2018 $15,379,508,330 $440,560,108,918
2017 $13,258,268,436 $403,365,010,211
2016 $11,988,668,785 $381,717,086,453
2015 $11,470,171,827 $381,973,042,886
2014 $13,296,322,588 $424,935,874,745
2013 $12,796,985,886 $409,632,675,289
2012 $12,246,499,748 $392,793,464,942
2011 $12,973,755,875 $368,881,143,635
2010 $12,086,545,641 $307,736,419,333
2009 $12,335,540,656 $253,547,358,747
2008 $13,258,506,375 $315,474,615,739
2007 $11,116,937,870 $257,916,133,424
2006 $9,150,528,132 $222,116,541,865
2005 $8,256,658,250 $180,617,467,965
2004 $7,406,645,793 $147,824,370,320
2003 $5,801,712,040 $124,346,358,067
2002 $4,515,003,117 $109,816,201,498
2001 $4,059,064,033 $103,311,640,572
2000 $3,584,570,165 $104,337,372,362
1999 $3,283,941,510 $84,445,473,111
1998 $2,600,356,999 $75,674,336,283
1997 $2,293,666,030 $78,839,008,445
1996 $3,234,486,232 $73,571,233,996
1995 $2,905,092,799 $65,743,666,576
1994 $1,880,950,864 $59,305,093,980
1993 $1,185,315,468 $55,625,170,253
1992 $652,174,991 $54,239,171,888
1991 $1,099,559,028 $51,552,165,622
1990 $2,028,553,750 $50,701,443,748
1989 $2,253,090,000 $41,464,995,914
1988 $2,051,236,250 $36,275,674,203
1987 $2,080,796,250 $36,384,908,744
1986 $2,097,326,250 $33,943,612,095
1985 $1,897,050,117 $40,603,650,232
1984 $1,857,337,995 $41,807,954,236
1983 $1,881,412,587 $42,803,323,345
1982 $1,861,163,170 $46,622,718,605
1981 $1,808,177,156 $49,333,424,135
1980 $1,578,102,105 $43,599,160,050
1979 - $31,225,659,621
1978 - $23,775,764,225
1977 - $24,871,775,165
1976 - $19,213,158,779
1975 - $14,720,728,249
1974 - $11,651,505,689
1973 - $4,231,243,616
1972 - $1,415,086,929
1971 - $939,893,600
1970 - $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Albania vs United Arab Emirates by year

Albania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Albania UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,378 $26,702 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $9,731 $24,822 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $7,757 $22,138 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $7,242 $18,213 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $6,028 $16,288 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $6,069 $16,442 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $5,898 $15,055 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $5,006 $14,111 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $4,458 $13,056 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $4,200 $12,387 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $4,794 $11,788 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $4,543 $10,882 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $4,281 $10,609 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $4,466 $10,273 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $4,149 $9,755 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $4,214 $9,031 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $4,499 $8,469 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $3,743 $7,585 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $3,058 $6,753 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $2,742 $6,014 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $2,447 $5,595 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,909 $5,169 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,480 $4,840 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,326 $4,451 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,160 $3,978 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,056 $3,549 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $831 $3,086 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $729 $2,760 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,021 $3,054 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $911 $2,777 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $586 $2,385 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $367 $2,143 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $200.9 $1,899 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $337 $1,989 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $617 $2,656 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $698 - $23,167 -
1988 $653 - $21,570 -
1987 $675 - $23,113 -
1986 $694 - $23,132 -
1985 $640 - $29,468 -
1984 $639 - $32,012 -
1983 $662 - $34,650 -
1982 $668 - $39,972 -
1981 $663 - $44,854 -
1980 $591 - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 - - $35,020 -
1976 - - $31,197 -
1975 - - $27,117 -
1974 - - $23,823 -
1973 - - $9,696 -
1972 - - $3,675 -
1971 - - $2,805 -
1970 - - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Albania's GDP per capita is $11,378, ranking 82/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Albania ranks 79th at $26,702, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Albania UAE
Gross domestic product
$27B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
112/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
4.05%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,378
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
82/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,702
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
79/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$6,375
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
72/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,075
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2020
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2020
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.2%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
2342753
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Albania
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Albania UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.9% 56% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 28.5% 58% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 30.3% 65.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 31.9% 74.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 32.4% 75.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 28.8% 66.6% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 28.7% 68.5% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 29.2% 71.9% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 29.1% 73.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 30.8% 73.7% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 31.7% 72% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 29.2% 70.4% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 28.2% 62.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 28.9% 59.4% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 29.4% 57.7% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 32.7% 59.7% 35% 21.1%
2008 31.7% 55.1% 22% 8.95%
2007 29.3% 53.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 29.2% 56.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 28.9% 58.2% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 30.2% 57.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 29.7% 60.2% 20% 3.33%
2002 31.5% 64.1% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 32.7% 60.6% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 33.8% 63.8% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 37.1% 68.2% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 36.8% 71.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 30.3% 72.2% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 - - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 - - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 - - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government spending was $7.83B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56% in Albania and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 94/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Albania

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Albania UAE
2024 -0.72% 6.41%
2023 -1.32% 5.82%
2022 -3.64% 9.8%
2021 -4.57% 3.96%
2020 -6.67% -2.42%
2019 -1.92% 2.5%
2018 -1.6% 3.65%
2017 -1.41% -0.16%
2016 -1.5% -2.95%
2015 -4.32% -6.35%
2014 -5.46% 1.74%
2013 -5.22% 7.99%
2012 -3.44% 8.59%
2011 -3.52% 5.05%
2010 -3.52% 0.52%
2009 -6.59% -6.13%
2008 -4.88% 17.6%
2007 -3.18% 17.1%
2006 -3.26% 20.2%
2005 -3.46% 16%
2004 -5.16% 6.4%
2003 -5.01% 2.35%
2002 -6.21% -1.24%
2001 -6.84% 1.21%
2000 -7.77% 10.7%
1999 -8.84% 1.31%
1998 -9.93% 1%
1997 -11.9% 6.71%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Albania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $196M, equivalent to 0.72% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Albania recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Albania posted an annual deficit equal to 4.71% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.9% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Albania

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Albania UAE
2024 2.2% 1.7%
2023 4.8% 1.6%
2022 6.7% 4.8%
2021 2% -0.1%
2020 1.6% -2.1%
2019 1.4% -1.9%
2018 2% 3.1%
2017 2% 2%
2016 1.3% 1.6%
2015 1.9% 4.1%
2014 1.6% 2.3%
2013 1.9% 1.1%
2012 2% 0.7%
2011 3.4% 0.9%
2010 3.6% 0.9%
2009 2.2% -4.7%
2008 3.3% 12.3%
2007 3% 11.1%
2006 2.4% 9.3%
2005 2.4% 6.2%
2004 2.9% 5%
2003 2.4% 3.1%
2002 5.2% 2.9%
2001 3.1% 2.8%
2000 0% 1.3%
1999 0.4% 2.1%
1998 20.6% 2%
1997 33.2% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Albania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.27%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 2.2% in Albania and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Albania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $681K
Machinery & equipment $663K
Metals $173K
Raw agricultural goods $87K
Textiles & consumer goods $67K
Wood & paper products $55K
Chemicals & pharma $38K
Animal & marine products $14K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $25.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.38M
Metals $4.77M
Chemicals & pharma $3.07M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.02M
Raw materials & minerals $316K
Wood & paper products $195K
Miscellaneous $152K
Precious metals & jewellery $70K
Raw agricultural goods $42K

Balance of trade

Albania UAE
Current account balance
-$648M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
112/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.4%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$7.87B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$1.82B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$3.83B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$8.03B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.2%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Albania UAE
Economic freedom 68 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 50/197 29/197
Property rights 57.6 62.9
Government integrity 41.9 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 59.9 34.4
Tax burden 89.3 99.9
Government spending 74.3 85.1
Fiscal health 88 97.6
Business freedom 76.6 84.5
Labor freedom 46.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 78.6 81.2
Trade freedom 83 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Albania
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Albania UAE
2026 68 71.9
2025 66.6 71.6
2024 64.8 71.1
2023 65.3 70.9
2022 66.6 70.2
2021 65.2 76.9
2020 66.9 76.2
2019 66.5 77.6
2018 64.5 77.6
2017 64.4 76.9
2016 65.9 72.6
2015 65.7 72.4
2014 66.9 71.4
2013 65.2 71.1
2012 65.1 69.3
2011 64 67.8
2010 66 67.3
2009 63.7 64.7
2008 62.4 62.6
2007 61.4 62.6
2006 60.3 62.2
2005 57.8 65.2
2004 58.5 67.2
2003 56.8 73.4
2002 56.8 73.6
2001 56.6 74.9
2000 53.6 74.2
1999 53.4 71.5
1998 53.9 72.2
1997 54.8 71.9
1996 53.8 71.6
1995 49.7 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Albania is 68, ranking 50/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Albania UAE
Services, % of GDP
48.7%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15.5%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$23.6B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,500
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.52B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
89/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.45B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.71B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$261M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.7%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25%
2024
26.6%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/albania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.