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

Updated on by Georank

Bangladesh has a GDP of $456B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 38/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $192B in government debt (42% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Bangladesh vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Bangladesh
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh UAE
2025 $456,319,229,256 -
2024 $450,119,432,069 $552,324,919,096
2023 $437,415,333,018 $522,622,268,401
2022 $460,131,689,083 $511,403,404,642
2021 $416,271,647,911 $422,441,282,436
2020 $373,979,442,362 $357,161,776,271
2019 $351,231,654,604 $433,926,218,686
2018 $321,362,752,442 $440,560,003,161
2017 $293,732,446,625 $403,365,056,079
2016 $265,224,515,675 $381,717,208,621
2015 $195,146,608,978 $381,973,135,513
2014 $172,886,611,654 $424,935,834,104
2013 $149,998,957,434 $409,632,574,703
2012 $133,310,747,603 $392,793,559,051
2011 $128,607,482,310 $368,881,033,963
2010 $115,275,540,051 $307,736,348,527
2009 $102,475,158,191 $253,547,358,747
2008 $91,636,997,371 $315,474,615,741
2007 $79,611,644,975 $257,916,148,767
2006 $71,795,736,172 $222,116,532,963
2005 $69,476,001,239 $180,617,467,954
2004 $65,108,544,250 $147,824,249,958
2003 $60,158,929,188 $124,346,476,180
2002 $54,724,081,491 $109,816,091,079
2001 $53,991,289,844 $103,311,631,797
2000 $53,369,787,319 $104,337,463,730
1999 $51,270,569,884 $84,445,399,335
1998 $49,984,559,471 $75,674,384,205
1997 $48,244,309,133 $78,838,886,862
1996 $46,438,484,108 $73,571,217,377
1995 $37,939,748,769 $65,743,604,966
1994 $33,768,660,883 $59,305,111,228
1993 $33,166,519,418 $55,625,269,485
1992 $31,708,874,594 $54,239,188,746
1991 $30,957,483,950 $51,552,058,250
1990 $31,598,340,778 $50,701,374,187
1989 $28,781,715,189 $41,464,966,302
1988 $26,579,005,558 $36,275,613,877
1987 $24,298,032,258 $36,384,802,310
1986 $21,774,033,333 $33,943,568,481
1985 $22,278,423,077 $40,603,631,079
1984 $18,920,840,000 $41,807,931,453
1983 $17,609,048,822 $42,803,373,390
1982 $18,525,399,202 $46,622,715,281
1981 $20,249,694,002 $49,333,471,895
1980 $18,138,049,096 $43,599,134,193
1979 $15,565,480,322 $31,225,557,022
1978 $13,281,767,143 $23,775,718,541
1977 $9,651,149,302 $24,871,660,292
1976 $10,117,113,333 $19,213,212,475
1975 $19,448,348,073 $14,720,729,969
1974 $12,512,460,520 $11,651,505,689
1973 $8,086,725,729 $4,231,243,616
1972 $6,288,245,867 $1,415,086,929
1971 $8,751,843,188 $939,893,600
1970 $8,992,722,167 $685,986,701
1969 $8,471,006,438 -
1968 $7,483,685,771 -
1967 $7,253,575,688 -
1966 $6,439,687,854 -
1965 $5,906,636,792 -
1964 $5,386,054,833 -
1963 $5,319,458,563 -
1962 $5,081,413,542 -
1961 $4,817,580,375 -
1960 $4,274,894,083 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs United Arab Emirates by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $2,597 - - -
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $958 $3,691 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $860 $3,434 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $837 $3,051 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $757 $2,834 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $679 $2,675 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $613 $2,555 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $538 $2,388 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $490 $2,195 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $480 $2,020 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $456 $1,862 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $427 $1,746 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $394 $1,659 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $395 $1,598 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $397 $1,512 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $388 $1,430 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $386 $1,373 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $379 $1,315 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $372 $1,261 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $309 $1,206 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $272.1 $987 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $283.1 $941 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $263 - $23,167 -
1988 $247.9 - $21,570 -
1987 $231.5 - $23,113 -
1986 $212.1 - $23,132 -
1985 $222.2 - $29,468 -
1984 $193.4 - $32,012 -
1983 $184.7 - $34,650 -
1982 $199.6 - $39,972 -
1981 $224.2 - $44,855 -
1980 $206.1 - $42,925 -
1979 $181.1 - $34,238 -
1978 $158.3 - $29,379 -
1977 $117.9 - $35,020 -
1976 $126.7 - $31,197 -
1975 $249.8 - $27,117 -
1974 $165 - $23,823 -
1973 $109.7 - $9,696 -
1972 $87.8 - $3,675 -
1971 $124.5 - $2,805 -
1970 $130.2 - $2,394 -
1969 $125.9 - - -
1968 $114.4 - - -
1967 $114.2 - - -
1966 $104.4 - - -
1965 $98.6 - - -
1964 $92.6 - - -
1963 $94.1 - - -
1962 $92.6 - - -
1961 $90.4 - - -
1960 $82.5 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,597, ranking 151/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh UAE
Gross domestic product
$456B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
38/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
3.49%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,597
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$192B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,092
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
143/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,829
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$26.2B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
10.9%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
10%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
178936470
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 10.9% 42% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 12% 41% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 13% 37.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 13.6% 32% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 13% 29.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 10.6% 33% 35% 21.1%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 22% 8.95%
2007 9.63% 35% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 10.2% 37% 20% 3.33%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 9.79% 31% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 10% 35.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 36% 4.97%
1990 9.14% 31.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bangladesh's government spending was $49.6B, accounting for 10.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42% in Bangladesh and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 124/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh UAE
2025 -2.93% 5.15%
2024 -3.7% 6.41%
2023 -4.39% 5.82%
2022 -4.53% 9.8%
2021 -3.56% 3.96%
2020 -4.84% -2.42%
2019 -5.41% 2.5%
2018 -4.07% 3.65%
2017 -4.17% -0.16%
2016 -3.16% -2.95%
2015 -3.29% -6.35%
2014 -2.62% 1.74%
2013 -2.86% 7.99%
2012 -2.56% 8.59%
2011 -2.96% 5.05%
2010 -2.23% 0.52%
2009 -2.68% -6.13%
2008 -3.36% 17.6%
2007 -1.86% 17.1%
2006 -2.15% 20.2%
2005 -2.4% 16%
2004 -2.21% 6.4%
2003 -1.96% 2.35%
2002 -2.3% -1.24%
2001 -3.44% 1.21%
2000 -2.5% 10.7%
1999 -1.35% 1.31%
1998 -2.2% 1%
1997 -1.94% 6.71%
1996 -2.01% 0.92%
1995 -0.38% 3.58%
1994 0.03% -1.78%
1993 0.43% -2.89%
1992 0.36% 3.34%
1991 0.44% 3.89%
1990 -0.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.6B, equivalent to 3.7% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh UAE
2025 10% 1.3%
2024 9.7% 1.7%
2023 9% 1.6%
2022 6.1% 4.8%
2021 5.6% -0.1%
2020 5.6% -2.1%
2019 5.5% -1.9%
2018 5.8% 3.1%
2017 5.4% 2%
2016 5.9% 1.6%
2015 6.4% 4.1%
2014 7.3% 2.3%
2013 6.8% 1.1%
2012 8.9% 0.7%
2011 8.8% 0.9%
2010 7.3% 0.9%
2009 6.7% -4.7%
2008 9.9% 12.3%
2007 7.2% 11.1%
2006 7.2% 9.3%
2005 6.5% 6.2%
2004 8.1% 5%
2003 3.9% 3.1%
2002 2.4% 2.9%
2001 1.8% 2.8%
2000 3.6% 1.3%
1999 8.9% 2.1%
1998 6.7% 2%
1997 2.7% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.54%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 10% in Bangladesh and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $249M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $61.3M
Raw agricultural goods $27.2M
Machinery & equipment $10.4M
Animal & marine products $3.62M
Chemicals & pharma $2.46M
Wood & paper products $1.93M
Miscellaneous $648K
Precious metals & jewellery $396K
Metals $201K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.23B
Precious metals & jewellery $573M
Raw materials & minerals $291M
Chemicals & pharma $115M
Metals $86.6M
Raw agricultural goods $55.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $18.9M
Animal & marine products $4.44M
Wood & paper products $2M

Balance of trade

Bangladesh UAE
Current account balance
-$239M
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.05%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$66B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$43.8B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$14.7B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$8.42B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.1%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Bangladesh UAE
Economic freedom 54.8 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 29/197
Property rights 32.1 62.9
Government integrity 22.7 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 34.4
Tax burden 79.9 99.9
Government spending 95.3 85.1
Fiscal health 68.4 97.6
Business freedom 52.7 84.5
Labor freedom 50.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 65.8 81.2
Trade freedom 63 78.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh UAE
2026 54.8 71.9
2025 54.7 71.6
2024 54.4 71.1
2023 54.4 70.9
2022 52.7 70.2
2021 56.5 76.9
2020 56.4 76.2
2019 55.6 77.6
2018 55.1 77.6
2017 55 76.9
2016 53.3 72.6
2015 53.9 72.4
2014 54.1 71.4
2013 52.6 71.1
2012 53.2 69.3
2011 53 67.8
2010 51.1 67.3
2009 47.5 64.7
2008 44.2 62.6
2007 46.7 62.6
2006 52.9 62.2
2005 47.5 65.2
2004 50 67.2
2003 49.3 73.4
2002 51.9 73.6
2001 51.2 74.9
2000 48.9 74.2
1999 50 71.5
1998 52 72.2
1997 49.9 71.9
1996 51.1 71.6
1995 40.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, 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

Bangladesh UAE
Services, % of GDP
52.1%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.4%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$499B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,710
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$28.6B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
58/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.84B
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.28B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.5%
2025
26.6%
2023

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–2002, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.