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Economy of Dominican Republic vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Dominican Republic has a GDP of $127B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 65/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Dominican Republic has $75.2B in government debt (59% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Dominican Republic vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Dominican Republic
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Dominican Republic UAE
2025 $127,407,463,759 -
2024 $124,282,245,639 $552,324,919,096
2023 $120,456,239,154 $522,622,268,401
2022 $113,478,103,598 $511,403,404,642
2021 $94,850,719,517 $422,441,282,436
2020 $78,546,672,407 $357,161,776,271
2019 $89,146,130,745 $433,926,218,686
2018 $84,994,732,049 $440,560,003,161
2017 $79,070,274,743 $403,365,056,079
2016 $75,552,902,636 $381,717,208,621
2015 $70,966,782,572 $381,973,135,513
2014 $67,014,329,100 $424,935,834,104
2013 $62,555,417,415 $409,632,574,703
2012 $60,561,635,556 $392,793,559,051
2011 $57,948,261,616 $368,881,033,963
2010 $53,801,053,353 $307,736,348,527
2009 $48,223,781,477 $253,547,358,747
2008 $48,091,433,554 $315,474,615,741
2007 $43,965,458,509 $257,916,148,767
2006 $37,879,830,084 $222,116,532,963
2005 $35,777,560,684 $180,617,467,954
2004 $22,322,387,382 $147,824,249,958
2003 $21,403,167,848 $124,346,476,180
2002 $27,137,440,786 $109,816,091,079
2001 $25,601,823,688 $103,311,631,797
2000 $24,305,780,629 $104,337,463,730
1999 $22,136,579,397 $84,445,399,335
1998 $21,672,215,547 $75,674,384,205
1997 $20,017,450,041 $78,838,886,862
1996 $18,241,622,548 $73,571,217,377
1995 $16,637,370,839 $65,743,604,966
1994 $14,644,734,599 $59,305,111,228
1993 $13,081,042,400 $55,625,269,485
1992 $11,605,382,504 $54,239,188,746
1991 $9,824,483,340 $51,552,058,250
1990 $7,073,675,545 $50,701,374,187
1989 $6,686,593,060 $41,464,966,302
1988 $5,374,299,981 $36,275,613,877
1987 $5,827,050,753 $36,384,802,310
1986 $6,122,128,558 $33,943,568,481
1985 $5,044,579,979 $40,603,631,079
1984 $11,594,000,000 $41,807,931,453
1983 $9,220,600,000 $42,803,373,390
1982 $8,267,400,000 $46,622,715,281
1981 $7,561,300,000 $49,333,471,895
1980 $6,761,300,000 $43,599,134,193
1979 $5,498,800,000 $31,225,557,022
1978 $4,734,400,000 $23,775,718,541
1977 $4,587,100,000 $24,871,660,292
1976 $3,951,500,000 $19,213,212,475
1975 $3,599,200,000 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,925,700,000 $11,651,505,689
1973 $2,344,800,000 $4,231,243,616
1972 $1,987,400,000 $1,415,086,929
1971 $1,666,500,000 $939,893,600
1970 $1,485,500,000 $685,986,701
1969 $1,230,500,000 -
1968 $1,079,100,000 -
1967 $1,034,800,000 -
1966 $983,900,000 -
1965 $888,100,000 -
1964 $1,025,599,900 -
1963 $940,799,900 -
1962 $824,100,000 -
1961 $654,100,200 -
1960 $672,399,700 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Dominican Republic vs United Arab Emirates by year

Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Dominican Republic UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $11,059 - - -
2024 $10,876 $27,542 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $10,630 $25,840 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $10,104 $24,626 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $8,527 $22,053 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $7,135 $18,998 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $8,183 $19,767 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $7,883 $17,995 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $7,413 $16,846 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $7,160 $16,282 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $6,801 $14,804 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $6,496 $13,465 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $6,137 $12,414 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $6,014 $11,777 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $5,827 $11,695 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $5,479 $11,246 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $4,974 $10,382 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $5,024 $10,346 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $4,650 $9,951 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $4,055 $9,130 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $3,878 $8,215 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $2,452 $7,375 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,383 $7,098 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $3,066 $7,158 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $2,936 $6,848 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $2,831 $6,639 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $2,621 $6,305 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $2,608 $5,963 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,449 $5,618 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,271 $5,161 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,109 $4,871 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,892 $4,599 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,722 $4,474 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,558 $4,151 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,346 $3,722 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $989 $3,641 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $955 - $23,167 -
1988 $784 - $21,570 -
1987 $868 - $23,113 -
1986 $932 - $23,132 -
1985 $784 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,844 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,500 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,376 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,288 - $44,855 -
1980 $1,180 - $42,925 -
1979 $984 - $34,238 -
1978 $868 - $29,379 -
1977 $863 - $35,020 -
1976 $763 - $31,197 -
1975 $713 - $27,117 -
1974 $595 - $23,823 -
1973 $490 - $9,696 -
1972 $427 - $3,675 -
1971 $368 - $2,805 -
1970 $338 - $2,394 -
1969 $287.7 - - -
1968 $259.6 - - -
1967 $256.2 - - -
1966 $250.9 - - -
1965 $233.2 - - -
1964 $277.3 - - -
1963 $262.2 - - -
1962 $236.8 - - -
1961 $193.9 - - -
1960 $205.7 - - -

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

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

The Dominican Republic's GDP per capita is $11,059, ranking 83/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Dominican Republic UAE
Gross domestic product
$127B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
65/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.12%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,059
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
83/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,542
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
76/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$75.2B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,525
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
73/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,179
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2024
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.3%
2024
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.87%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.17%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
11656588
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Dominican Republic UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.3% 59% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 19.5% 58.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19.1% 60.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 18.5% 59.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 18.4% 62.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 22.2% 71.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 17.8% 53.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.5% 50.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 17.3% 49.5% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 17% 46.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 16.7% 44.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 17% 45% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 18.5% 46.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 19.8% 42.4% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 16% 39.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 16.1% 37.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 16.2% 36.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 18.5% 33.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 16.3% 32.9% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 17% 36% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 15.5% 38.3% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 17.3% 34.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 17.2% 48.2% 20% 3.33%
2002 16.5% 21.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 14.9% 20.4% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 14.1% 16.7% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 13.4% 16% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 12.6% 13.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 13.2% 13.8% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 11.4% 23% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 11% 25.7% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 12.1% 28.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 13% 36.1% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 10.4% 38.5% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 8.65% 47.3% 36% 4.97%
1990 9.1% 84.7% - -
1989 11.3% 62.5% - -
1988 12.8% 77% - -
1987 11.2% 86.9% - -
1986 10.4% 63.8% - -
1985 9.8% 66.3% - -
1984 9.32% 28.9% - -
1983 10.2% 32.9% - -
1982 10.2% 33.1% - -
1981 12.1% 29.8% - -
1980 12.8% 15.2% - -
1979 13.8% 24% - -
1978 12.3% 20.9% - -
1977 11.4% 16.4% - -
1976 12.5% 15.6% - -
1975 13.7% 13.1% - -
1974 14.6% 14.6% - -
1973 13.7% 14.6% - -
1972 14.1% 16.4% - -
1971 13.8% 17.8% - -
1970 13.3% 18% - -
1969 15.5% 17.4% - -
1968 15.5% 18.1% - -
1967 15% 16.2% - -
1966 15.2% 14.5% - -
1965 12.8% - - -
1964 16.7% - - -
1963 15.1% - - -
1962 15.7% - - -
1961 20% - - -
1960 20.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Dominican Republic's government spending was $24.6B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59% in the Dominican Republic and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 80/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Dominican Republic

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Dominican Republic UAE
2025 -3.56% 5.15%
2024 -3.09% 6.41%
2023 -3.28% 5.82%
2022 -3.25% 9.8%
2021 -2.92% 3.96%
2020 -7.94% -2.42%
2019 -3.46% 2.5%
2018 -2.17% 3.65%
2017 -3.12% -0.16%
2016 -3.11% -2.95%
2015 -0.03% -6.35%
2014 -2.76% 1.74%
2013 -4.41% 7.99%
2012 -6.26% 8.59%
2011 -3.07% 5.05%
2010 -2.97% 0.52%
2009 -2.9% -6.13%
2008 -3.43% 17.6%
2007 0.28% 17.1%
2006 -1.69% 20.2%
2005 -0.71% 16%
2004 -3.6% 6.4%
2003 -4.24% 2.35%
2002 -2.28% -1.24%
2001 -0.73% 1.21%
2000 -0.86% 10.7%
1999 -0.79% 1.31%
1998 -0.29% 1%
1997 -0.64% 6.71%
1996 0.14% 0.92%
1995 0.82% 3.58%
1994 -0.39% -1.78%
1993 -0.16% -2.89%
1992 2.35% 3.34%
1991 0.11% 3.89%
1990 0.39% -
1989 -0.09% -
1988 -1.68% -
1987 -0.75% -
1986 -0.57% -
1985 -1.27% -
1984 -0.95% -
1983 -1.74% -
1982 -2.4% -
1981 -1.92% -
1980 -1.82% -
1979 -3.26% -
1978 -0.82% -
1977 0.15% -
1976 -0.22% -
1975 1.37% -
1974 -0.93% -
1973 -0.53% -
1972 -1.73% -
1971 -0.85% -
1970 -0.68% -
1969 -0.99% -
1968 -0.99% -
1967 -1.68% -
1966 -2.14% -
1965 -1.84% -
1964 -1.36% -
1963 -0.39% -
1962 -1.17% -
1961 -3% -
1960 -0.61% -
1959 -0.29% -
1958 -1.29% -
1957 0.21% -
1956 -0.05% -
1955 1.47% -
1954 1.43% -
1953 2.79% -
1952 0% -
1951 -2.58% -
1950 -3.66% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Dominican Republic's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.84B, equivalent to 3.09% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Dominican Republic recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Dominican Republic posted an annual deficit equal to 2.08% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Dominican Republic

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Dominican Republic UAE
2025 3.87% 1.3%
2024 3.3% 1.7%
2023 4.79% 1.6%
2022 8.81% 4.8%
2021 8.24% -0.1%
2020 3.78% -2.1%
2019 1.81% -1.9%
2018 3.56% 3.1%
2017 3.28% 2%
2016 1.61% 1.6%
2015 0.84% 4.1%
2014 3% 2.3%
2013 4.83% 1.1%
2012 3.69% 0.7%
2011 5.8% 0.9%
2010 6.33% 0.9%
2009 1.44% -4.7%
2008 10.6% 12.3%
2007 6.14% 11.1%
2006 7.57% 9.3%
2005 4.19% 6.2%
2004 51.5% 5%
2003 27.4% 3.1%
2002 5.22% 2.9%
2001 8.88% 2.8%
2000 7.72% 1.3%
1999 6.47% 2.1%
1998 4.83% 2%
1997 8.3% 3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, the Dominican Republic has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 7.51%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.87% in the Dominican Republic and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $9.61M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.09M
Raw materials & minerals $1.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $315K
Animal & marine products $281K
Chemicals & pharma $260K
Precious metals & jewellery $35K
Raw agricultural goods $25K
Miscellaneous $15K
Wood & paper products $12K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $20.1M
Chemicals & pharma $4.58M
Metals $4.02M
Raw materials & minerals $1.47M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.25M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $170K
Wood & paper products $148K
Raw agricultural goods $127K
Precious metals & jewellery $51K

Balance of trade

Dominican Republic UAE
Current account balance
-$1.49B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
128/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.17%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$29.8B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$16B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$5.65B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$14.4B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.9%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
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.

Dominican Republic UAE
Economic freedom 63.8 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 77/197 29/197
Property rights 53.9 62.9
Government integrity 39.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 58 34.4
Tax burden 84.4 99.9
Government spending 89.1 85.1
Fiscal health 76.6 97.6
Business freedom 71.4 84.5
Labor freedom 53.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 72.1 81.2
Trade freedom 67.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Dominican Republic
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Dominican Republic UAE
2026 63.8 71.9
2025 64.3 71.6
2024 62.9 71.1
2023 62.6 70.9
2022 63 70.2
2021 62.1 76.9
2020 60.9 76.2
2019 61 77.6
2018 61.6 77.6
2017 62.9 76.9
2016 61 72.6
2015 61 72.4
2014 61.3 71.4
2013 59.7 71.1
2012 60.2 69.3
2011 60 67.8
2010 60.3 67.3
2009 59.2 64.7
2008 57.7 62.6
2007 56.8 62.6
2006 56.3 62.2
2005 55.1 65.2
2004 54.6 67.2
2003 57.8 73.4
2002 58.6 73.6
2001 59.1 74.9
2000 59 74.2
1999 58.1 71.5
1998 58.1 72.2
1997 53.5 71.9
1996 58.1 71.6
1995 55.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Dominican Republic is 63.8, ranking 77/197, 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

Dominican Republic UAE
Services, % of GDP
60.1%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.4%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.6%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$122B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,980
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$14.8B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
71/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.03B
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.48B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$47.3M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.61%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.3%
2025
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.7%
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/dominican-republic/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.