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

Updated on by Georank team

Chad has a GDP of $19.5B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 132/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.37B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Chad vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Chad
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad UAE
2024 $19,518,819,751 $552,324,846,835
2023 $18,340,233,749 $522,622,191,967
2022 $17,828,508,290 $511,403,403,676
2021 $16,871,937,698 $422,441,388,700
2020 $14,932,897,821 $357,161,878,829
2019 $14,905,517,743 $433,926,208,305
2018 $15,327,000,249 $440,560,108,918
2017 $13,349,041,409 $403,365,010,211
2016 $13,026,289,836 $381,717,086,453
2015 $14,559,599,500 $381,973,042,886
2014 $18,144,336,904 $424,935,874,745
2013 $17,865,316,886 $409,632,675,289
2012 $17,892,228,570 $392,793,464,942
2011 $16,685,349,674 $368,881,143,635
2010 $14,058,506,664 $307,736,419,333
2009 $12,317,614,054 $253,547,358,747
2008 $13,385,593,990 $315,474,615,739
2007 $10,865,385,132 $257,916,133,424
2006 $9,709,626,596 $222,116,541,865
2005 $8,655,892,393 $180,617,467,965
2004 $4,422,855,661 $147,824,370,320
2003 $2,742,815,072 $124,346,358,067
2002 $1,997,005,709 $109,816,201,498
2001 $1,710,843,377 $103,311,640,572
2000 $1,388,506,772 $104,337,372,362
1999 $1,534,673,583 $84,445,473,111
1998 $1,744,794,531 $75,674,336,283
1997 $1,544,689,577 $78,839,008,445
1996 $1,607,345,356 $73,571,233,996
1995 $1,445,919,895 $65,743,666,576
1994 $1,179,837,963 $59,305,093,980
1993 $1,463,251,164 $55,625,170,253
1992 $1,881,847,670 $54,239,171,888
1991 $1,877,137,982 $51,552,165,622
1990 $1,738,605,558 $50,701,443,748
1989 $1,433,686,312 $41,464,995,914
1988 $1,482,597,298 $36,275,674,203
1987 $1,163,426,852 $36,384,908,744
1986 $1,067,828,246 $33,943,612,095
1985 $1,033,069,709 $40,603,650,232
1984 $919,103,735 $41,807,954,236
1983 $832,415,806 $42,803,323,345
1982 $834,369,860 $46,622,718,605
1981 $876,937,558 $49,333,424,135
1980 $1,033,002,404 $43,599,160,050
1979 $1,004,316,496 $31,225,659,621
1978 $1,113,920,124 $23,775,764,225
1977 $935,360,465 $24,871,775,165
1976 $866,044,962 $19,213,158,779
1975 $864,602,105 $14,720,728,249
1974 $652,532,795 $11,651,505,689
1973 $647,199,483 $4,231,243,616
1972 $585,427,547 $1,415,086,929
1971 $501,866,730 $939,893,600
1970 $469,266,737 $685,986,701
1969 $471,635,622 -
1968 $453,980,096 -
1967 $449,826,323 -
1966 $432,794,922 -
1965 $416,926,303 -
1964 $392,247,518 -
1963 $371,767,002 -
1962 $357,635,713 -
1961 $333,975,336 -
1960 $313,582,728 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Chad vs United Arab Emirates by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $962 $2,743 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $949 $2,700 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $966 $2,624 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $946 $2,435 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $867 $2,186 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $893 $2,352 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $949 $2,228 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $854 $2,097 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $862 $2,120 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $994 $2,378 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,279 $2,133 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $1,305 $2,110 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,354 $2,435 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $980 $2,149 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $907 $2,079 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $838 $2,102 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $446 $1,808 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $204 $1,014 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $220.7 $933 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $302 $1,046 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $290.6 $967 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $246.4 - $23,167 -
1988 $263.5 - $21,570 -
1987 $213.9 - $23,113 -
1986 $203.4 - $23,132 -
1985 $202.7 - $29,468 -
1984 $182.2 - $32,012 -
1983 $167.2 - $34,650 -
1982 $176.1 - $39,972 -
1981 $194 - $44,854 -
1980 $228.8 - $42,925 -
1979 $222.9 - $34,238 -
1978 $252.5 - $29,379 -
1977 $215.9 - $35,020 -
1976 $203.7 - $31,197 -
1975 $207.5 - $27,117 -
1974 $160 - $23,823 -
1973 $162.4 - $9,696 -
1972 $150.4 - $3,675 -
1971 $131.8 - $2,805 -
1970 $125.9 - $2,394 -
1969 $129.2 - - -
1968 $126.9 - - -
1967 $128.2 - - -
1966 $125.8 - - -
1965 $123.6 - - -
1964 $118.6 - - -
1963 $114.7 - - -
1962 $112.6 - - -
1961 $107.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Chad's GDP per capita is $962, ranking 182/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Chad UAE
Gross domestic product
$19.5B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
132/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$962
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$6.37B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$314
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
177/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,276
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 n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.14%
2018
1.88%
2024
Population
21893857
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.8% 32.7% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 17.1% 32.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 12.6% 32.1% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 13% 41.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 14.1% 41.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 10.6% 38.4% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 11.3% 39.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 11.2% 40.1% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 16.6% 20% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 22% 8.95%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 8.87% 22% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 13.8% 42% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 12% 43.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 14% 52.4% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 10.1% 34.7% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 12% 41.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 12% 40.5% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 12.3% 41.1% 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/chad/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Chad's government spending was $3.67B, accounting for 18.8% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Chad and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 151/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad UAE
2024 -2.11% 6.41%
2023 -1.26% 5.82%
2022 3.79% 9.8%
2021 -1.29% 3.96%
2020 1.24% -2.42%
2019 -0.11% 2.5%
2018 1.39% 3.65%
2017 -0.18% -0.16%
2016 -1.51% -2.95%
2015 -3.29% -6.35%
2014 -3.22% 1.74%
2013 -1.5% 7.99%
2012 0.33% 8.59%
2011 1.75% 5.05%
2010 -3.16% 0.52%
2009 -8.44% -6.13%
2008 2.82% 17.6%
2007 2.02% 17.1%
2006 1.7% 20.2%
2005 -0.05% 16%
2004 -1.84% 6.4%
2003 -4.32% 2.35%
2002 -4.08% -1.24%
2001 -3.53% 1.21%
2000 -4.68% 10.7%
1999 -4.07% 1.31%
1998 -1.73% 1%
1997 -2.58% 6.71%
1996 -2.86% 0.92%
1995 -3.12% 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/chad/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Chad's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $412M, equivalent to 2.11% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 1.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.73% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad UAE
2024 5.1% 1.7%
2023 2.3% 1.6%
2022 5.8% 4.8%
2021 -0.8% -0.1%
2020 4.5% -2.1%
2019 -1% -1.9%
2018 4% 3.1%
2017 -0.9% 2%
2016 -1.6% 1.6%
2015 4.8% 4.1%
2014 -5.5% 2.3%
2013 0.2% 1.1%
2012 7.5% 0.7%
2011 2% 0.9%
2010 -2.1% 0.9%
2009 10.1% -4.7%
2008 8.3% 12.3%
2007 -7.4% 11.1%
2006 9.6% 9.3%
2005 4.4% 6.2%
2004 -4.8% 5%
2003 -1.8% 3.1%
2002 5.2% 2.9%
2001 12.4% 2.8%
2000 3.8% 1.3%
1999 -8.4% 2.1%
1998 4.3% 2%
1997 5.6% 3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 5.1% in Chad and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Chad
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1.11B
Raw agricultural goods $1.34M
Machinery & equipment $71K
Textiles & consumer goods $61K
Metals $6K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Miscellaneous $2K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $104M
Precious metals & jewellery $80.5M
Raw materials & minerals $31.2M
Chemicals & pharma $30.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.4M
Metals $13.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $12.1M
Animal & marine products $10.6M
Wood & paper products $1.74M
Raw agricultural goods $419K

Balance of trade

Chad UAE
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
82/190
1994
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$467B
2024
Service imports
$199M
1994
$117B
2024
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.8%
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.

Chad UAE
Economic freedom 51.2 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 29/197
Property rights 17.2 62.9
Government integrity 15.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 15 34.4
Tax burden 77.9 99.9
Government spending 92.2 85.1
Fiscal health 97.9 97.6
Business freedom 27.4 84.5
Labor freedom 53.7 63.2
Monetary freedom 71.6 81.2
Trade freedom 46.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad UAE
2026 51.2 71.9
2025 52.2 71.6
2024 51.4 71.1
2023 52 70.9
2022 49.8 70.2
2021 50.4 76.9
2020 50.2 76.2
2019 49.9 77.6
2018 49.3 77.6
2017 49 76.9
2016 46.3 72.6
2015 45.9 72.4
2014 44.5 71.4
2013 45.2 71.1
2012 44.8 69.3
2011 45.3 67.8
2010 47.5 67.3
2009 47.5 64.7
2008 47.8 62.6
2007 50.1 62.6
2006 50 62.2
2005 52.1 65.2
2004 53.1 67.2
2003 52.6 73.4
2002 49.2 73.6
2001 46.4 74.9
2000 46.8 74.2
1999 47.2 71.5
1998 46.6 72.2
1997 45.1 71.9
1996 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, 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

Chad UAE
Services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.1B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,710
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.05B
2023
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2023
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
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/chad/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023, 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.