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

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 165/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Djibouti vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Djibouti
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti UAE
2024 $4,152,145,940 $552,324,846,835
2023 $3,898,447,007 $522,622,191,967
2022 $3,562,814,909 $511,403,403,676
2021 $3,392,796,953 $422,441,388,700
2020 $3,144,136,197 $357,161,878,829
2019 $3,088,851,450 $433,926,208,305
2018 $2,913,464,658 $440,560,108,918
2017 $2,762,581,334 $403,365,010,211
2016 $2,604,955,229 $381,717,086,453
2015 $2,424,391,785 $381,973,042,886
2014 $2,220,637,966 $424,935,874,745
2013 $2,044,440,443 $409,632,675,289
2012 $1,353,632,942 $392,793,464,942
2011 $1,239,144,502 $368,881,143,635
2010 $1,128,611,700 $307,736,419,333
2009 $1,049,110,685 $253,547,358,747
2008 $999,105,339 $315,474,615,739
2007 $847,918,929 $257,916,133,424
2006 $768,873,684 $222,116,541,865
2005 $708,633,195 $180,617,467,965
2004 $666,072,102 $147,824,370,320
2003 $622,044,666 $124,346,358,067
2002 $591,122,040 $109,816,201,498
2001 $572,417,441 $103,311,640,572
2000 $551,230,862 $104,337,372,362
1999 $536,080,148 $84,445,473,111
1998 $514,267,869 $75,674,336,283
1997 $502,675,542 $78,839,008,445
1996 $494,004,648 $73,571,233,996
1995 $497,723,961 $65,743,666,576
1994 $491,689,221 $59,305,093,980
1993 $466,048,469 $55,625,170,253
1992 $478,058,305 $54,239,171,888
1991 $462,421,999 $51,552,165,622
1990 $452,328,087 $50,701,443,748
1989 $409,220,087 $41,464,995,914
1988 $395,794,539 $36,275,674,203
1987 $373,371,738 $36,384,908,744
1986 - $33,943,612,095
1985 $340,989,528 $40,603,650,232
1984 - $41,807,954,236
1983 - $42,803,323,345
1982 - $46,622,718,605
1981 - $49,333,424,135
1980 - $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/djibouti/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs United Arab Emirates by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,400 - $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,306 - $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,213 - $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,151 - $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,119 - $50,054 $94,628
2007 $970 - $45,855 $100,813
2006 $898 - $44,343 $106,814
2005 $844 - $38,719 $101,301
2004 $806 - $33,377 $98,661
2003 $765 - $29,660 $92,636
2002 $743 - $27,754 $88,467
2001 $742 - $27,745 $90,370
2000 $738 - $29,866 $92,899
1999 $740 - $25,856 $87,658
1998 $735 - $24,889 $90,229
1997 $748 - $27,983 $96,009
1996 $762 - $28,323 $94,620
1995 $786 - $27,003 $93,702
1994 $785 - $25,473 $89,959
1993 $759 - $25,033 $86,330
1992 $764 - $25,648 $87,509
1991 $733 - $25,691 $87,250
1990 $780 - $26,710 $88,455
1989 $782 - $23,167 -
1988 $817 - $21,570 -
1987 $822 - $23,113 -
1986 - - $23,132 -
1985 $847 - $29,468 -
1984 - - $32,012 -
1983 - - $34,650 -
1982 - - $39,972 -
1981 - - $44,854 -
1980 - - $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/djibouti/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Djibouti UAE
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
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%
32.3%
2017
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
1.88%
2024
Population
1203929
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 21% 38.3% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 23.9% 48% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 42% 40.3% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 29% 26.9% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 26.5% 25% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 31% 29.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 22% 8.95%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 20% 3.33%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 21% 58.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 24% 55.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 25% 56% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 27% 50.9% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 30.9% - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 35.3% - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 34.9% - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 27.7% - 36% 4.97%
1990 30.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 149/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti UAE
2024 -2.6% 6.41%
2023 -3.46% 5.82%
2022 -1.48% 9.8%
2021 -3.05% 3.96%
2020 -2.58% -2.42%
2019 -0.98% 2.5%
2018 -1.98% 3.65%
2017 -0.21% -0.16%
2016 -0.76% -2.95%
2015 -15.5% -6.35%
2014 -6.92% 1.74%
2013 -0.34% 7.99%
2012 -2.04% 8.59%
2011 -1.18% 5.05%
2010 -1.04% 0.52%
2009 -3.88% -6.13%
2008 0.62% 17.6%
2007 -1.88% 17.1%
2006 0.26% 20.2%
2005 -1.18% 16%
2004 -3.67% 6.4%
2003 -4.13% 2.35%
2002 -4.56% -1.24%
2001 -3.61% 1.21%
2000 -3.97% 10.7%
1999 -5.2% 1.31%
1998 -3.59% 1%
1997 -2.86% 6.71%
1996 -1.77% 0.92%
1995 -5.13% 3.58%
1994 -4.97% -1.78%
1993 -7.1% -2.89%
1992 -6.13% 3.34%
1991 -0.86% 3.89%
1990 -3.25% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti UAE
2024 2.1% 1.7%
2023 1.4% 1.6%
2022 5.2% 4.8%
2021 1.2% -0.1%
2020 1.8% -2.1%
2019 3.3% -1.9%
2018 0.1% 3.1%
2017 0.6% 2%
2016 2.4% 1.6%
2015 -0.5% 4.1%
2014 1.3% 2.3%
2013 1.1% 1.1%
2012 4.2% 0.7%
2011 5.2% 0.9%
2010 2.5% 0.9%
2009 5.6% -4.7%
2008 8.7% 12.3%
2007 5.9% 11.1%
2006 3.5% 9.3%
2005 3.3% 6.2%
2004 2.4% 5%
2003 1.6% 3.1%
2002 1.4% 2.9%
2001 1.9% 2.8%
2000 1.2% 1.3%
1999 -0.4% 2.1%
1998 2.2% 2%
1997 2.5% 3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.56%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $161M
Chemicals & pharma $25.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $24.4M
Raw materials & minerals $7.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.82M
Raw agricultural goods $777K
Metals $180K
Wood & paper products $129K
Animal & marine products $98K
Miscellaneous $60K
UAE
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $579M
Machinery & equipment $316M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $189M
Raw agricultural goods $117M
Chemicals & pharma $108M
Metals $45.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $40.1M
Animal & marine products $11.5M
Wood & paper products $9.06M
Weapons & explosives $4.57M

Balance of trade

Djibouti UAE
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
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.

Djibouti UAE
Economic freedom 56.3 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 29/197
Property rights 30.4 62.9
Government integrity 27.9 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 34.4
Tax burden 83.5 99.9
Government spending 86.7 85.1
Fiscal health 87.7 97.6
Business freedom 52.9 84.5
Labor freedom 57.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 70.6 81.2
Trade freedom 49.8 78.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti UAE
2026 56.3 71.9
2025 55.7 71.6
2024 55.8 71.1
2023 56.1 70.9
2022 55.3 70.2
2021 56.2 76.9
2020 52.9 76.2
2019 47.1 77.6
2018 45.1 77.6
2017 46.7 76.9
2016 56 72.6
2015 57.5 72.4
2014 55.9 71.4
2013 53.9 71.1
2012 53.9 69.3
2011 54.5 67.8
2010 51 67.3
2009 51.3 64.7
2008 51.2 62.6
2007 52.4 62.6
2006 53.2 62.2
2005 55.2 65.2
2004 55.6 67.2
2003 55.7 73.4
2002 57.8 73.6
2001 58.3 74.9
2000 55.1 74.2
1999 57.1 71.5
1998 55.9 72.2
1997 54.5 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti UAE
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
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/djibouti/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 (1990–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.