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

Updated on by Georank team

Israel has a GDP of $540B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Israel has $366B in government debt (67.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Israel vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Israel
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Israel UAE
2024 $540,379,921,262 $552,324,846,835
2023 $512,184,638,999 $522,622,191,967
2022 $525,181,008,026 $511,403,403,676
2021 $489,851,549,972 $422,441,388,700
2020 $410,768,352,658 $357,161,878,829
2019 $400,645,216,359 $433,926,208,305
2018 $376,299,083,108 $440,560,108,918
2017 $358,451,839,053 $403,365,010,211
2016 $321,940,971,558 $381,717,086,453
2015 $303,469,434,072 $381,973,042,886
2014 $315,017,088,117 $424,935,874,745
2013 $298,478,070,673 $409,632,675,289
2012 $263,589,172,712 $392,793,464,942
2011 $268,094,998,225 $368,881,143,635
2010 $239,679,036,634 $307,736,419,333
2009 $213,403,181,853 $253,547,358,747
2008 $221,231,658,863 $315,474,615,739
2007 $184,681,214,673 $257,916,133,424
2006 $158,900,547,825 $222,116,541,865
2005 $147,519,922,009 $180,617,467,965
2004 $140,047,984,605 $147,824,370,320
2003 $131,408,914,824 $124,346,358,067
2002 $125,332,331,884 $109,816,201,498
2001 $135,002,039,613 $103,311,640,572
2000 $136,512,300,542 $104,337,372,362
1999 $121,417,185,062 $84,445,473,111
1998 $120,547,409,279 $75,674,336,283
1997 $119,459,826,347 $78,839,008,445
1996 $115,116,595,545 $73,571,233,996
1995 $105,497,418,059 $65,743,666,576
1994 $90,740,103,829 $59,305,093,980
1993 $79,855,877,174 $55,625,170,253
1992 $79,457,685,757 $54,239,171,888
1991 $70,998,755,007 $51,552,165,622
1990 $62,016,729,541 $50,701,443,748
1989 $52,443,479,454 $41,464,995,914
1988 $52,650,948,910 $36,275,674,203
1987 $43,049,543,635 $36,384,908,744
1986 $35,834,154,874 $33,943,612,095
1985 $28,905,736,367 $40,603,650,232
1984 $30,645,607,293 $41,807,954,236
1983 $32,675,755,462 $42,803,323,345
1982 $29,255,285,401 $46,622,718,605
1981 $26,882,009,819 $49,333,424,135
1980 $25,395,256,478 $43,599,160,050
1979 $22,609,741,060 $31,225,659,621
1978 $17,701,286,907 $23,775,764,225
1977 $18,257,113,904 $24,871,775,165
1976 $15,956,349,550 $19,213,158,779
1975 $16,141,767,373 $14,720,728,249
1974 $17,172,607,138 $11,651,505,689
1973 $11,902,574,259 $4,231,243,616
1972 $9,222,557,539 $1,415,086,929
1971 $7,052,544,000 $939,893,600
1970 $7,406,712,876 $685,986,701
1969 $6,297,852,761 -
1968 $5,458,427,928 -
1967 $4,762,386,783 -
1966 $4,703,300,098 -
1965 $4,329,084,429 -
1964 $4,024,344,853 -
1963 $3,535,949,089 -
1962 $2,966,154,031 -
1961 $3,708,586,471 -
1960 $3,070,585,807 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Israel vs United Arab Emirates by year

Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Israel UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $54,177 $57,236 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $52,004 $55,171 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $54,950 $53,619 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $52,271 $46,162 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $44,576 $40,955 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $44,251 $41,325 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $42,363 $40,190 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $41,138 $39,471 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $37,672 $38,189 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $36,213 $35,871 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $38,343 $34,816 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $37,034 $34,827 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $33,321 $32,484 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $34,523 $31,314 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $31,439 $29,456 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $28,508 $28,087 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $30,269 $28,084 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $25,721 $28,307 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $22,527 $26,385 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $21,287 $25,701 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $20,568 $26,078 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $19,643 $24,702 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $19,076 $26,101 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $20,966 $25,806 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $21,707 $25,766 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $19,823 $23,415 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $20,189 $22,927 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $20,469 $22,279 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $20,224 $21,672 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $19,026 $20,642 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $16,807 $19,478 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $15,179 $18,218 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $15,510 $17,553 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $14,346 $16,486 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $13,308 $15,721 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $11,608 - $23,167 -
1988 $11,853 - $21,570 -
1987 $9,853 - $23,113 -
1986 $8,335 - $23,132 -
1985 $6,829 - $29,468 -
1984 $7,369 - $32,012 -
1983 $7,960 - $34,650 -
1982 $7,258 - $39,972 -
1981 $6,795 - $44,854 -
1980 $6,549 - $42,925 -
1979 $5,972 - $34,238 -
1978 $4,797 - $29,379 -
1977 $5,053 - $35,020 -
1976 $4,516 - $31,197 -
1975 $4,672 - $27,117 -
1974 $5,085 - $23,823 -
1973 $3,631 - $9,696 -
1972 $2,930 - $3,675 -
1971 $2,298 - $2,805 -
1970 $2,490 - $2,394 -
1969 $2,189 - - -
1968 $1,947 - - -
1967 $1,735 - - -
1966 $1,789 - - -
1965 $1,689 - - -
1964 $1,626 - - -
1963 $1,486 - - -
1962 $1,294 - - -
1961 $1,697 - - -
1960 $1,452 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Israel's GDP per capita is $54,177, ranking 21/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Israel ranks 36th at $57,236, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Israel UAE
Gross domestic product
$540B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
29/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
0.87%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$54,177
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
21/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$57,236
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
36/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$366B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.6%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$36,645
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
18/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$43,003
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$331B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
179,905
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
41
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.6%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.8%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.07%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.9%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
10290887
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Israel
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Israel UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.8% 67.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 39.3% 61.3% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 36.9% 60.3% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 40% 67.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 44.8% 71.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 38.7% 59.3% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 39.2% 60.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 38.3% 59.8% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 37.9% 61.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 37.6% 62.8% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 38.3% 64.9% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 39.7% 66% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 39.6% 66.9% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 39.3% 67.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 39.7% 69% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 41.4% 72.6% 35% 21.1%
2008 41.2% 70.2% 22% 8.95%
2007 40.2% 70.8% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 41.6% 77.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 42.3% 85.2% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 43% 88.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 45.4% 89.7% 20% 3.33%
2002 50% 87.2% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 46.1% 81.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 43.4% 77.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 53.6% 94.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 55% 101% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 52.6% 99.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 53.2% 100.3% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 52.8% 102.3% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 41.7% 110.2% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 42.2% 118.3% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 44.1% 119.6% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 34.4% 123.7% 36% 4.97%
1990 46.8% 138.3% - -
1989 47.5% 147.4% - -
1988 46.5% 145.4% - -
1987 52.8% 143.2% - -
1986 55.7% 162.5% - -
1985 65.2% 199% - -
1984 - 284% - -
1983 - 260.5% - -
1982 69.7% - - -
1981 71.8% - - -
1980 69.4% 154.3% - -
1979 70.1% 155.5% - -
1978 62.2% 133.6% - -
1977 69.1% 142% - -
1976 66.3% 97.4% - -
1975 62% 85.1% - -
1974 - 79.8% - -
1973 - 62.1% - -
1972 - 63.9% - -
1971 - - - -
1970 41.6% - - -
1969 41.1% - - -
1968 39.4% - - -
1967 33.9% - - -
1966 29.6% - - -
1965 27.8% - - -
1964 28.2% - - -
1963 26.9% - - -
1962 27.7% - - -
1961 30.3% - - -
1960 30.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Israel's government spending was $237B, accounting for 43.8% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.6% in Israel and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 62/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Israel

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Israel UAE
2024 -8.26% 6.41%
2023 -5.06% 5.82%
2022 0.32% 9.8%
2021 -3.37% 3.96%
2020 -10.7% -2.42%
2019 -3.79% 2.5%
2018 -3.56% 3.65%
2017 -1.13% -0.16%
2016 -1.79% -2.95%
2015 -1.21% -6.35%
2014 -2.29% 1.74%
2013 -4.06% 7.99%
2012 -4.46% 8.59%
2011 -3.43% 5.05%
2010 -3.72% 0.52%
2009 -6.53% -6.13%
2008 -3.5% 17.6%
2007 -0.43% 17.1%
2006 -0.95% 20.2%
2005 -2.74% 16%
2004 -3.4% 6.4%
2003 -5.03% 2.35%
2002 -8.22% -1.24%
2001 -4.06% 1.21%
2000 -0.8% 10.7%
1999 -6.26% 1.31%
1998 -7.99% 1%
1997 -4.84% 6.71%
1996 -5.97% 0.92%
1995 -4.28% 3.58%
1994 -5.62% -1.78%
1993 -5.62% -2.89%
1992 -8% 3.34%
1991 -7.04% 3.89%
1990 -9.67% -
1989 -9.03% -
1988 -7.57% -
1987 -7.47% -
1986 -7.51% -
1985 -14.2% -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 -13.8% -
1981 -23.5% -
1980 -19.6% -
1979 -16.7% -
1978 -14.7% -
1977 -20.3% -
1976 -19.4% -
1975 -19.6% -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 -16% -
1969 -15.3% -
1968 -11.7% -
1967 -7.68% -
1966 -4.35% -
1965 -2.72% -
1964 -3.65% -
1963 -4.41% -
1962 -4.09% -
1961 -5.86% -
1960 -6.62% -
1959 -7.23% -
1958 -8.31% -
1957 -7.17% -
1956 -9.3% -
1955 -4.3% -
1954 -7.84% -
1953 -8.32% -
1952 -7.19% -
1951 -8.13% -
1950 -10.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Israel's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $44.6B, equivalent to 8.26% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Israel recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Israel posted an annual deficit equal to 4.35% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Israel

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Israel UAE
2024 3.07% 1.7%
2023 4.23% 1.6%
2022 4.41% 4.8%
2021 1.48% -0.1%
2020 -0.58% -2.1%
2019 0.82% -1.9%
2018 0.81% 3.1%
2017 0.25% 2%
2016 -0.54% 1.6%
2015 -0.62% 4.1%
2014 0.47% 2.3%
2013 1.59% 1.1%
2012 1.68% 0.7%
2011 3.49% 0.9%
2010 2.7% 0.9%
2009 3.37% -4.7%
2008 4.53% 12.3%
2007 0.47% 11.1%
2006 2.05% 9.3%
2005 1.34% 6.2%
2004 -0.42% 5%
2003 0.71% 3.1%
2002 5.8% 2.9%
2001 1.12% 2.8%
2000 1.03% 1.3%
1999 5.19% 2.1%
1998 5.49% 2%
1997 8.95% 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/israel/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Israel has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.07% in Israel and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Israel
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $228M
Machinery & equipment $225M
Textiles & consumer goods $16M
Raw materials & minerals $9.5M
Chemicals & pharma $8.51M
Metals $6.72M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.37M
Raw agricultural goods $4.72M
Wood & paper products $326K
Miscellaneous $151K
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1.04B
Machinery & equipment $423M
Chemicals & pharma $75.3M
Metals $72.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $14.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.7M
Raw materials & minerals $8.11M
Raw agricultural goods $3.7M
Wood & paper products $1.3M
Miscellaneous $606K

Balance of trade

Israel UAE
Current account balance
$15.5B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.86%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$96.3B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$70B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$44.4B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$83.7B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
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.

Israel UAE
Economic freedom 68.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 47/197 29/197
Property rights 73.1 62.9
Government integrity 66.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 68.1 34.4
Tax burden 60.2 99.9
Government spending 52 85.1
Fiscal health 60.8 97.6
Business freedom 72.4 84.5
Labor freedom 56.8 63.2
Monetary freedom 78.2 81.2
Trade freedom 82.8 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 80 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Israel
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Israel UAE
2026 68.4 71.9
2025 69.9 71.6
2024 70.1 71.1
2023 68.9 70.9
2022 68 70.2
2021 73.8 76.9
2020 74 76.2
2019 72.8 77.6
2018 72.2 77.6
2017 69.7 76.9
2016 70.7 72.6
2015 70.5 72.4
2014 68.4 71.4
2013 66.9 71.1
2012 67.8 69.3
2011 68.5 67.8
2010 67.7 67.3
2009 67.6 64.7
2008 66.3 62.6
2007 64.8 62.6
2006 64.4 62.2
2005 62.6 65.2
2004 61.4 67.2
2003 62.7 73.4
2002 66.9 73.6
2001 66.1 74.9
2000 65.5 74.2
1999 68.3 71.5
1998 68 72.2
1997 62.7 71.9
1996 62 71.6
1995 61.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Israel is 68.4, ranking 47/197, 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

Israel UAE
Services, % of GDP
72.5%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.28%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$528B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$56,790
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$215B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
18/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.86B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$14.8B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$9.92B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.4%
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/israel/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (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.

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.