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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 150/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $5.21B in government debt (40.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Equatorial Guinea vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea UAE
2025 $12,823,210,426 -
2024 $13,254,388,261 $552,324,919,096
2023 $12,541,814,273 $522,622,268,401
2022 $13,687,643,436 $511,403,404,642
2021 $12,215,878,033 $422,441,282,436
2020 $9,893,816,008 $357,161,776,271
2019 $11,364,133,550 $433,926,218,686
2018 $13,097,012,134 $440,560,003,161
2017 $12,200,913,879 $403,365,056,079
2016 $11,240,808,848 $381,717,208,621
2015 $13,185,496,881 $381,973,135,513
2014 $21,765,453,082 $424,935,834,104
2013 $21,948,834,284 $409,632,574,703
2012 $22,388,344,144 $392,793,559,051
2011 $21,357,343,669 $368,881,033,963
2010 $16,314,443,436 $307,736,348,527
2009 $15,027,795,173 $253,547,358,747
2008 $19,749,893,536 $315,474,615,741
2007 $13,071,718,759 $257,916,148,767
2006 $10,086,528,699 $222,116,532,963
2005 $8,217,369,093 $180,617,467,954
2004 $4,410,764,339 $147,824,249,958
2003 $2,484,745,935 $124,346,476,180
2002 $1,806,742,742 $109,816,091,079
2001 $1,461,139,022 $103,311,631,797
2000 $1,045,998,496 $104,337,463,730
1999 $621,117,886 $84,445,399,335
1998 $370,687,634 $75,674,384,205
1997 $442,337,871 $78,838,886,862
1996 $232,463,023 $73,571,217,377
1995 $141,853,361 $65,743,604,966
1994 $100,807,003 $59,305,111,228
1993 $136,047,906 $55,625,269,485
1992 $134,707,184 $54,239,188,746
1991 $110,906,029 $51,552,058,250
1990 $112,119,411 $50,701,374,187
1989 $88,265,975 $41,464,966,302
1988 $100,534,657 $36,275,613,877
1987 $93,345,860 $36,384,802,310
1986 $76,407,396 $33,943,568,481
1985 $62,118,570 $40,603,631,079
1984 $50,320,914 $41,807,931,453
1983 $44,442,457 $42,803,373,390
1982 $44,294,648 $46,622,715,281
1981 $36,731,423 $49,333,471,895
1980 $50,642,881 $43,599,134,193
1979 - $31,225,557,022
1978 - $23,775,718,541
1977 $103,987,520 $24,871,660,292
1976 $103,653,050 $19,213,212,475
1975 $104,295,643 $14,720,729,969
1974 $94,159,863 $11,651,505,689
1973 $81,203,227 $4,231,243,616
1972 $65,429,198 $1,415,086,929
1971 $64,946,955 $939,893,600
1970 $66,331,429 $685,986,701
1969 $67,225,714 -
1968 $67,514,286 -
1967 $72,317,447 -
1966 $69,110,000 -
1965 $64,748,333 -
1964 $51,915,000 -
1963 $44,266,667 -
1962 $37,253,333 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs United Arab Emirates by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $6,615 - - -
2024 $7,004 $17,567 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $6,788 $17,412 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $931 $6,470 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $578 $5,280 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $717 $4,387 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $392 $1,793 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $183.2 $951 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $256.7 $828 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $263.7 $756 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $225.3 $569 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $236.4 $577 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $193.2 - $23,167 -
1988 $228.7 - $21,570 -
1987 $220.9 - $23,113 -
1986 $188.8 - $23,132 -
1985 $161.1 - $29,468 -
1984 $137.9 - $32,012 -
1983 $129.4 - $34,650 -
1982 $137.5 - $39,972 -
1981 $121.1 - $44,855 -
1980 $175.5 - $42,925 -
1979 - - $34,238 -
1978 - - $29,379 -
1977 $376 - $35,020 -
1976 $369 - $31,197 -
1975 $362 - $27,117 -
1974 $319 - $23,823 -
1973 $268.6 - $9,696 -
1972 $211.4 - $3,675 -
1971 $205.6 - $2,805 -
1970 $206.8 - $2,394 -
1969 $208.4 - - -
1968 $211.7 - - -
1967 $231.9 - - -
1966 $226.7 - - -
1965 $217.1 - - -
1964 $177.8 - - -
1963 $154.8 - - -
1962 $132.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,615, ranking 107/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea UAE
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
150/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-5.85%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,615
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
107/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$5.21B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.6%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,686
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
109/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,723
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%
29.1%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.8%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
1.88%
2024
Population
2008950
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 20.7% 40.6% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 18.5% 36.4% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 35% 21.1%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 22% 8.95%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 20% 3.33%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 510% 216% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 595% 136.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 36% 4.97%
1990 212.9% 157% - -
1989 116.8% 187% - -
1988 227.9% 154.5% - -
1987 183% 141.3% - -
1986 119% 152.5% - -
1985 115.4% 183.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.65B, accounting for 20.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.6% in Equatorial Guinea and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 132/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea UAE
2025 -2.55% 5.15%
2024 -0.55% 6.41%
2023 2.39% 5.82%
2022 11.7% 9.8%
2021 2.65% 3.96%
2020 -1.77% -2.42%
2019 1.82% 2.5%
2018 0.52% 3.65%
2017 -2.59% -0.16%
2016 -10.9% -2.95%
2015 -15.1% -6.35%
2014 -7.54% 1.74%
2013 -4.4% 7.99%
2012 -7.24% 8.59%
2011 0.83% 5.05%
2010 -4.53% 0.52%
2009 -6.47% -6.13%
2008 14.6% 17.6%
2007 17.2% 17.1%
2006 21.8% 20.2%
2005 18.5% 16%
2004 9.22% 6.4%
2003 9.99% 2.35%
2002 17.6% -1.24%
2001 14.9% 1.21%
2000 -2.67% 10.7%
1999 -0.19% 1.31%
1998 -7.65% 1%
1997 3.21% 6.71%
1996 -6.36% 0.92%
1995 -123.4% 3.58%
1994 -487% -1.78%
1993 -217.9% -2.89%
1992 -557% 3.34%
1991 -236% 3.89%
1990 -160.2% -
1989 -76.2% -
1988 -208.5% -
1987 -158% -
1986 -97.3% -
1985 -89.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $73.5M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 45.7% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea UAE
2025 2.8% 1.3%
2024 3.4% 1.7%
2023 2.4% 1.6%
2022 4.9% 4.8%
2021 -0.1% -0.1%
2020 4.8% -2.1%
2019 1.2% -1.9%
2018 1.3% 3.1%
2017 0.7% 2%
2016 1.4% 1.6%
2015 1.7% 4.1%
2014 4.3% 2.3%
2013 3.2% 1.1%
2012 3.4% 0.7%
2011 4.8% 0.9%
2010 5.3% 0.9%
2009 5.7% -4.7%
2008 4.7% 12.3%
2007 2.8% 11.1%
2006 4.5% 9.3%
2005 5.6% 6.2%
2004 4.2% 5%
2003 7.3% 3.1%
2002 7.6% 2.9%
2001 8.7% 2.8%
2000 4.8% 1.3%
1999 0.4% 2.1%
1998 7.9% 2%
1997 3% 3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.89%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 2.8% in Equatorial Guinea and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $40.4M
Wood & paper products $2.62M
Metals $1.81M
Animal & marine products $115K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $20.8M
Chemicals & pharma $7.24M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.76M
Raw materials & minerals $2.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.77M
Metals $1.09M
Wood & paper products $492K
Precious metals & jewellery $109K
Animal & marine products $97K
Miscellaneous $92K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea UAE
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
98/190
1996
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$467B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$117B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
46.5%
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.

Equatorial Guinea UAE
Economic freedom 47.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 29/197
Property rights 16.9 62.9
Government integrity 6.9 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 34.4
Tax burden 81 99.9
Government spending 90.8 85.1
Fiscal health 97.3 97.6
Business freedom 35.9 84.5
Labor freedom 45.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 73.5 81.2
Trade freedom 43.6 78.6
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea UAE
2026 47.4 71.9
2025 47.7 71.6
2024 47.7 71.1
2023 48.3 70.9
2022 47.2 70.2
2021 49.2 76.9
2020 48.3 76.2
2019 41 77.6
2018 42 77.6
2017 45 76.9
2016 43.7 72.6
2015 40.4 72.4
2014 44.4 71.4
2013 42.3 71.1
2012 42.8 69.3
2011 47.5 67.8
2010 48.6 67.3
2009 51.3 64.7
2008 51.6 62.6
2007 53.2 62.6
2006 51.5 62.2
2005 53.3 65.2
2004 53.3 67.2
2003 53.1 73.4
2002 46.4 73.6
2001 47.9 74.9
2000 45.6 74.2
1999 45.1 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, 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

Equatorial Guinea UAE
Services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
41.4%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.21%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11.4B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,610
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.08B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
141/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
-3.68%
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/equatorial-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1962–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, 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 (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.

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.