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

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 174/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Gambia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Gambia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia UAE
2024 $2,404,888,749 $552,324,846,835
2023 $2,382,262,185 $522,622,191,967
2022 $2,204,734,528 $511,403,403,676
2021 $2,014,158,842 $422,441,388,700
2020 $1,812,170,891 $357,161,878,829
2019 $1,813,609,692 $433,926,208,305
2018 $1,670,671,328 $440,560,108,918
2017 $1,504,909,463 $403,365,010,211
2016 $1,484,578,886 $381,717,086,453
2015 $1,378,176,609 $381,973,042,886
2014 $1,229,461,721 $424,935,874,745
2013 $1,375,609,453 $409,632,675,289
2012 $1,415,004,738 $392,793,464,942
2011 $1,409,693,597 $368,881,143,635
2010 $1,543,294,927 $307,736,419,333
2009 $1,450,142,509 $253,547,358,747
2008 $1,561,766,956 $315,474,615,739
2007 $1,279,703,047 $257,916,133,424
2006 $1,054,112,488 $222,116,541,865
2005 $1,027,701,068 $180,617,467,965
2004 $961,900,651 $147,824,370,320
2003 $487,038,685 $124,346,358,067
2002 $578,235,309 $109,816,201,498
2001 $687,410,645 $103,311,640,572
2000 $782,913,872 $104,337,372,362
1999 $814,724,032 $84,445,473,111
1998 $840,285,265 $75,674,336,283
1997 $803,633,342 $78,839,008,445
1996 $848,239,446 $73,571,233,996
1995 $785,999,865 $65,743,666,576
1994 $746,493,952 $59,305,093,980
1993 $755,040,974 $55,625,170,253
1992 $714,254,256 $54,239,171,888
1991 $690,311,081 $51,552,165,622
1990 $317,083,695 $50,701,443,748
1989 $284,120,329 $41,464,995,914
1988 $266,672,212 $36,275,674,203
1987 $220,626,484 $36,384,908,744
1986 $185,646,987 $33,943,612,095
1985 $225,726,359 $40,603,650,232
1984 $177,340,880 $41,807,954,236
1983 $213,448,585 $42,803,323,345
1982 $216,050,552 $46,622,718,605
1981 $218,767,743 $49,333,424,135
1980 $241,083,090 $43,599,160,050
1979 $207,112,628 $31,225,659,621
1978 $171,833,086 $23,775,764,225
1977 $138,093,099 $24,871,775,165
1976 $112,190,829 $19,213,158,779
1975 $115,179,719 $14,720,728,249
1974 $95,796,022 $11,651,505,689
1973 $75,187,749 $4,231,243,616
1972 $59,160,569 $1,415,086,929
1971 $55,728,663 $939,893,600
1970 $52,296,084 $685,986,701
1969 $45,168,072 -
1968 $41,160,066 -
1967 $46,695,007 -
1966 $44,212,081 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $883 $3,289 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $836 $3,067 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $782 $2,778 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $720 $2,531 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $738 $2,422 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $696 $2,277 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $643 $2,039 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $650 $2,013 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $620 $1,990 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $568 $1,934 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $654 $2,007 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $693 $2,065 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $711 $2,064 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $801 $2,267 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $775 $2,177 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $859 $2,088 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $725 $1,985 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $615 $1,931 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $616 $1,938 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $593 $1,979 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $309 $1,850 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $377 $1,744 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $460 $1,823 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $538 $1,731 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $575 $1,649 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $610 $1,572 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $600 $1,544 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $652 $1,489 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $622 $1,472 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $608 $1,473 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $635 $1,487 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $623 $1,462 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $628 $1,440 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $301 $1,409 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $280.9 - $23,167 -
1988 $274.9 - $21,570 -
1987 $237 - $23,113 -
1986 $207.7 - $23,132 -
1985 $262.8 - $29,468 -
1984 $214.8 - $32,012 -
1983 $268.6 - $34,650 -
1982 $282.1 - $39,972 -
1981 $296 - $44,854 -
1980 $338 - $42,925 -
1979 $300 - $34,238 -
1978 $257.6 - $29,379 -
1977 $213.8 - $35,020 -
1976 $179.3 - $31,197 -
1975 $189.8 - $27,117 -
1974 $162.6 - $23,823 -
1973 $131.4 - $9,696 -
1972 $106.5 - $3,675 -
1971 $103.3 - $2,805 -
1970 $99.8 - $2,394 -
1969 $88.7 - - -
1968 $83.1 - - -
1967 $97 - - -
1966 $94.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Gambia UAE
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
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%
30.5%
2020
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
2902554
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 23.9% 83% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 19% 83.6% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 23.6% 87% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 19% 71.1% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 11.2% 38% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 14% 87.3% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 20% 3.33%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 - - 24.3% 4.73%
1998 - - 25.8% 4.18%
1997 - - 22.6% 2.86%
1996 - - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 - - 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/gambia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 45/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia UAE
2024 -4.08% 6.41%
2023 -3.69% 5.82%
2022 -5.72% 9.8%
2021 -4.77% 3.96%
2020 -2.37% -2.42%
2019 -2.75% 2.5%
2018 -3.92% 3.65%
2017 -4.35% -0.16%
2016 -6.22% -2.95%
2015 -5.38% -6.35%
2014 -3.94% 1.74%
2013 -5.11% 7.99%
2012 -2.85% 8.59%
2011 -3.03% 5.05%
2010 -2.93% 0.52%
2009 -1.65% -6.13%
2008 -0.45% 17.6%
2007 0.27% 17.1%
2006 -3.19% 20.2%
2005 -3.33% 16%
2004 -1.77% 6.4%
2003 -1.73% 2.35%
2002 0.06% -1.24%
2001 -2.52% 1.21%
2000 -0.09% 10.7%
1999 - 1.31%
1998 - 1%
1997 - 6.71%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 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/gambia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to surplus of 5.13% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia UAE
2024 11.6% 1.7%
2023 17% 1.6%
2022 11.5% 4.8%
2021 7.37% -0.1%
2020 5.93% -2.1%
2019 7.12% -1.9%
2018 6.52% 3.1%
2017 8.03% 2%
2016 7.23% 1.6%
2015 6.81% 4.1%
2014 5.95% 2.3%
2013 5.7% 1.1%
2012 4.25% 0.7%
2011 4.8% 0.9%
2010 5.05% 0.9%
2009 4.56% -4.7%
2008 4.44% 12.3%
2007 5.37% 11.1%
2006 2.06% 9.3%
2005 4.84% 6.2%
2004 14.2% 5%
2003 17% 3.1%
2002 8.61% 2.9%
2001 4.49% 2.8%
2000 0.84% 1.3%
1999 3.81% 2.1%
1998 1.11% 2%
1997 2.78% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47K
Chemicals & pharma $27K
Metals $15K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16.1M
Chemicals & pharma $12.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.33M
Raw materials & minerals $5.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $4M
Metals $1.5M
Animal & marine products $1.15M
Wood & paper products $615K
Raw agricultural goods $260K
Miscellaneous $115K

Balance of trade

Gambia UAE
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia UAE
Economic freedom 56.3 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 29/197
Property rights 55.4 62.9
Government integrity 40.5 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 34.4
Tax burden 79.2 99.9
Government spending 81.1 85.1
Fiscal health 54.8 97.6
Business freedom 50.1 84.5
Labor freedom 46.4 63.2
Monetary freedom 57.3 81.2
Trade freedom 64.8 78.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia UAE
2026 56.3 71.9
2025 56.8 71.6
2024 58.2 71.1
2023 57.9 70.9
2022 58 70.2
2021 58.8 76.9
2020 56.3 76.2
2019 52.4 77.6
2018 52.3 77.6
2017 53.4 76.9
2016 57.1 72.6
2015 57.5 72.4
2014 59.5 71.4
2013 58.8 71.1
2012 58.8 69.3
2011 57.4 67.8
2010 55.1 67.3
2009 55.8 64.7
2008 56.9 62.6
2007 57.7 62.6
2006 57.3 62.2
2005 56.5 65.2
2004 55.3 67.2
2003 56.3 73.4
2002 57.7 73.6
2001 56.6 74.9
2000 52.7 74.2
1999 52.1 71.5
1998 53.4 72.2
1997 52.9 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia UAE
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.