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

Updated on by Georank

Estonia has a GDP of $47B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 101/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Estonia has $11.4B in government debt (24.2% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Estonia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Estonia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Estonia UAE
2025 $47,030,833,799 -
2024 $43,130,419,829 $552,324,919,096
2023 $41,470,344,395 $522,622,268,401
2022 $38,226,641,740 $511,403,404,642
2021 $37,201,101,171 $422,441,282,436
2020 $31,820,771,494 $357,161,776,271
2019 $31,873,748,770 $433,926,218,686
2018 $31,222,632,741 $440,560,003,161
2017 $27,469,461,919 $403,365,056,079
2016 $24,561,027,788 $381,717,208,621
2015 $23,311,847,751 $381,973,135,513
2014 $27,055,689,003 $424,935,834,104
2013 $25,451,032,781 $409,632,574,703
2012 $23,237,406,116 $392,793,559,051
2011 $23,303,915,795 $368,881,033,963
2010 $19,524,355,419 $307,736,348,527
2009 $19,633,984,440 $253,547,358,747
2008 $24,342,935,404 $315,474,615,741
2007 $22,450,264,166 $257,916,148,767
2006 $17,025,671,810 $222,116,532,963
2005 $14,109,491,357 $180,617,467,954
2004 $12,148,595,031 $147,824,249,958
2003 $9,876,595,528 $124,346,476,180
2002 $7,370,119,619 $109,816,091,079
2001 $6,250,218,423 $103,311,631,797
2000 $5,686,579,748 $104,337,463,730
1999 $5,756,912,266 $84,445,399,335
1998 $5,674,080,543 $75,674,384,205
1997 $5,154,420,649 $78,838,886,862
1996 $4,786,018,988 $73,571,217,377
1995 $4,502,970,889 $65,743,604,966
1994 $4,123,011,420 $59,305,111,228
1993 $4,013,091,682 $55,625,269,485
1992 - $54,239,188,746
1991 - $51,552,058,250
1990 - $50,701,374,187
1989 - $41,464,966,302
1988 - $36,275,613,877
1987 - $36,384,802,310
1986 - $33,943,568,481
1985 - $40,603,631,079
1984 - $41,807,931,453
1983 - $42,803,373,390
1982 - $46,622,715,281
1981 - $49,333,471,895
1980 - $43,599,134,193
1979 - $31,225,557,022
1978 - $23,775,718,541
1977 - $24,871,660,292
1976 - $19,213,212,475
1975 - $14,720,729,969
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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Estonia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Estonia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,418 - - -
2024 $31,428 $49,969 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $30,264 $48,637 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $28,340 $48,218 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $27,951 $44,252 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $23,934 $40,672 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $24,021 $40,586 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $23,618 $37,121 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $20,852 $34,507 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $18,666 $31,948 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $17,722 $29,713 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $20,582 $29,404 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $19,310 $27,831 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $17,568 $26,243 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $17,556 $24,652 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $14,664 $21,614 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $14,712 $20,489 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $18,206 $22,804 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $16,745 $22,201 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $12,641 $19,344 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $10,415 $16,638 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $8,916 $14,538 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $7,205 $13,135 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $5,343 $11,667 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $4,503 $10,309 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $4,071 $9,425 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $4,141 $8,412 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $4,093 $8,451 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $3,683 $7,980 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $3,381 $6,892 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $3,134 $6,480 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $2,819 $5,967 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $2,686 $5,814 $25,033 $86,330
1992 - $5,872 $25,648 $87,509
1991 - $7,151 $25,691 $87,250
1990 - $7,481 $26,710 $88,455
1989 - - $23,167 -
1988 - - $21,570 -
1987 - - $23,113 -
1986 - - $23,132 -
1985 - - $29,468 -
1984 - - $32,012 -
1983 - - $34,650 -
1982 - - $39,972 -
1981 - - $44,855 -
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 (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Estonia's GDP per capita is $34,418, ranking 37/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Estonia UAE
Gross domestic product
$47B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
101/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
0.58%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$34,418
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
37/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$49,969
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
45/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$11.4B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24.2%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$8,325
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,647
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
2
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.7%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.2%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.83%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.5%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
1347027
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Estonia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Estonia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.2% 24.2% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 43.6% 23.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 43.5% 20.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 40.1% 19.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 42.1% 18.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 44.7% 19.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 39.1% 9.05% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 38.8% 8.51% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 38.9% 9.43% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 38.9% 10.2% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 39.3% 10.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 37.6% 11.6% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 38.3% 11.4% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 39.4% 11.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 37.6% 7.6% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 40.7% 7.99% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 46.1% 7.98% 35% 21.1%
2008 39.5% 4.67% 22% 8.95%
2007 33.8% 3.91% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 33.5% 4.72% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 33.7% 4.73% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.1% 5.16% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 35% 5.6% 20% 3.33%
2002 35.9% 5.66% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 35.3% 4.93% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 36.4% 5.11% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 40.7% 5.93% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 38.9% 5.4% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 35.8% 6.03% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 38.6% 7.3% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 39.5% 8.66% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Estonia's government spending was $21.3B, accounting for 45.2% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24.2% in Estonia and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 168/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Estonia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Estonia UAE
2025 -1.33% 5.15%
2024 -1.54% 6.41%
2023 -3.07% 5.82%
2022 -1.08% 9.8%
2021 -2.57% 3.96%
2020 -5.42% -2.42%
2019 -0.11% 2.5%
2018 -1.15% 3.65%
2017 -1.07% -0.16%
2016 -0.62% -2.95%
2015 -0.24% -6.35%
2014 0.42% 1.74%
2013 -0.66% 7.99%
2012 -0.86% 8.59%
2011 0.09% 5.05%
2010 -1.09% 0.52%
2009 -3.43% -6.13%
2008 -2.92% 17.6%
2007 2.5% 17.1%
2006 2.71% 20.2%
2005 1.07% 16%
2004 2.29% 6.4%
2003 1.67% 2.35%
2002 0.29% -1.24%
2001 0.4% 1.21%
2000 -0.11% 10.7%
1999 -3.42% 1.31%
1998 0.65% 1%
1997 2.98% 6.71%
1996 -0.93% 0.92%
1995 -0.26% 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Estonia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $664M, equivalent to 1.54% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Estonia recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Estonia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.73% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Estonia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Estonia UAE
2025 4.83% 1.3%
2024 3.52% 1.7%
2023 9.16% 1.6%
2022 19.4% 4.8%
2021 4.65% -0.1%
2020 -0.44% -2.1%
2019 2.28% -1.9%
2018 3.44% 3.1%
2017 3.42% 2%
2016 0.15% 1.6%
2015 -0.49% 4.1%
2014 -0.11% 2.3%
2013 2.78% 1.1%
2012 3.93% 0.7%
2011 4.98% 0.9%
2010 2.97% 0.9%
2009 -0.08% -4.7%
2008 10.4% 12.3%
2007 6.6% 11.1%
2006 4.44% 9.3%
2005 4.08% 6.2%
2004 3.05% 5%
2003 1.33% 3.1%
2002 3.57% 2.9%
2001 5.75% 2.8%
2000 4.02% 1.3%
1999 3.3% 2.1%
1998 8.21% 2%
1997 10.6% 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/estonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Estonia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.47%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 4.83% in Estonia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Estonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $63.6M
Wood & paper products $3.39M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.02M
Raw materials & minerals $2.35M
Chemicals & pharma $2.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.2M
Animal & marine products $774K
Metals $771K
Precious metals & jewellery $746K
Raw agricultural goods $552K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $30.7M
Chemicals & pharma $5.78M
Metals $3.86M
Wood & paper products $1.33M
Textiles & consumer goods $716K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $182K
Precious metals & jewellery $111K
Miscellaneous $110K
Raw materials & minerals $83K
Raw agricultural goods $59K

Balance of trade

Estonia UAE
Current account balance
-$70M
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
79/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.15%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$24.4B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$21.2B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$12B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$15.6B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
77.4%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.4%
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.

Estonia UAE
Economic freedom 78.7 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 10/197 29/197
Property rights 93.6 62.9
Government integrity 86.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 92.4 34.4
Tax burden 77.9 99.9
Government spending 46 85.1
Fiscal health 93.1 97.6
Business freedom 82.8 84.5
Labor freedom 59 63.2
Monetary freedom 73.9 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Estonia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Estonia UAE
2026 78.7 71.9
2025 78.9 71.6
2024 77.8 71.1
2023 78.6 70.9
2022 80 70.2
2021 78.2 76.9
2020 77.7 76.2
2019 76.6 77.6
2018 78.8 77.6
2017 79.1 76.9
2016 77.2 72.6
2015 76.8 72.4
2014 75.9 71.4
2013 75.3 71.1
2012 73.2 69.3
2011 75.2 67.8
2010 74.7 67.3
2009 76.4 64.7
2008 77.9 62.6
2007 78 62.6
2006 74.9 62.2
2005 75.2 65.2
2004 77.4 67.2
2003 77.7 73.4
2002 77.6 73.6
2001 76.1 74.9
2000 69.9 74.2
1999 73.8 71.5
1998 72.5 72.2
1997 69.1 71.9
1996 65.4 71.6
1995 65.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Estonia is 78.7, ranking 10/197, 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

Estonia UAE
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.65%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.2B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$51,370
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.44B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
124/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$814M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.44B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$3.72B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
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/estonia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, 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. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, 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.

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.