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

Updated on by Georank team

Jordan has a GDP of $53.4B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 90/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jordan has $48.1B in government debt (90.2% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Jordan vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Jordan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jordan UAE
2024 $53,352,289,577 $552,324,846,835
2023 $51,088,476,338 $522,622,191,967
2022 $48,764,963,380 $511,403,403,676
2021 $46,296,100,141 $422,441,388,700
2020 $43,700,383,099 $357,161,878,829
2019 $44,503,006,338 $433,926,208,305
2018 $43,370,860,704 $440,560,108,918
2017 $41,608,435,915 $403,365,010,211
2016 $39,892,551,127 $381,717,086,453
2015 $38,587,017,887 $381,973,042,886
2014 $36,847,643,521 $424,935,874,745
2013 $34,454,440,141 $409,632,675,289
2012 $31,634,561,690 $392,793,464,942
2011 $29,524,149,155 $368,881,143,635
2010 $27,133,804,225 $307,736,419,333
2009 $24,537,876,056 $253,547,358,747
2008 $22,658,715,989 $315,474,615,739
2007 $17,110,437,236 $257,916,133,424
2006 $15,056,981,664 $222,116,541,865
2005 $12,588,998,590 $180,617,467,965
2004 $11,411,706,629 $147,824,370,320
2003 $10,195,627,645 $124,346,358,067
2002 $9,582,510,578 $109,816,201,498
2001 $8,975,814,653 $103,311,640,572
2000 $8,460,789,845 $104,337,372,362
1999 $8,149,929,478 $84,445,473,111
1998 $7,912,270,804 $75,674,336,283
1997 $7,245,839,210 $78,839,008,445
1996 $6,927,503,526 $73,571,233,996
1995 $6,727,597,032 $65,743,666,576
1994 $6,236,295,978 $59,305,093,980
1993 $5,606,400,222 $55,625,170,253
1992 $5,310,833,194 $54,239,171,888
1991 $4,344,467,193 $51,552,165,622
1990 $4,160,087,508 $50,701,443,748
1989 $4,221,373,674 $41,464,995,914
1988 $6,277,451,829 $36,275,674,203
1987 $6,756,209,762 $36,384,908,744
1986 $6,402,050,485 $33,943,612,095
1985 $4,993,601,520 $40,603,650,232
1984 $4,967,162,160 $41,807,954,236
1983 $4,920,692,191 $42,803,323,345
1982 $4,681,240,993 $46,622,718,605
1981 $4,383,944,703 $49,333,424,135
1980 $3,910,044,474 $43,599,160,050
1979 $3,271,368,781 $31,225,659,621
1978 $2,602,208,589 $23,775,764,225
1977 $2,096,778,602 $24,871,775,165
1976 $1,708,521,219 $19,213,158,779
1975 $1,363,073,498 $14,720,728,249
1974 $1,197,483,949 $11,651,505,689
1973 $943,783,840 $4,231,243,616
1972 $788,479,685 $1,415,086,929
1971 $678,159,729 $939,893,600
1970 $639,519,744 $685,986,701
1969 $698,879,720 -
1968 $561,119,776 -
1967 $631,679,747 -
1966 $657,999,737 -
1965 $599,759,760 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Jordan vs United Arab Emirates by year

Jordan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jordan UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,618 $10,821 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $4,466 $10,412 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $4,332 $9,927 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $4,183 $9,182 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $4,022 $9,579 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $4,170 $9,429 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $4,145 $9,042 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $4,066 $9,266 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $3,987 $8,748 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $4,043 $8,967 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $4,191 $9,145 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $4,311 $9,817 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $4,170 $9,739 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $3,947 $9,632 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $3,718 $9,417 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $3,436 $9,291 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $3,242 $8,983 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $2,506 $8,416 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $2,343 $8,046 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $2,088 $7,697 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $1,940 $7,074 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,776 $6,500 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,706 $6,256 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,632 $5,948 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,571 $5,641 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,545 $5,402 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,532 $5,264 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,436 $5,171 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,410 $5,055 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,416 $5,027 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,367 $4,830 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,289 $4,726 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,287 $4,654 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,110 $4,195 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $1,149 $4,317 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,260 - $23,167 -
1988 $1,966 - $21,570 -
1987 $2,217 - $23,113 -
1986 $2,200 - $23,132 -
1985 $1,797 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,871 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,939 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,929 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,885 - $44,854 -
1980 $1,750 - $42,925 -
1979 $1,519 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,249 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,039 - $35,020 -
1976 $873 - $31,197 -
1975 $718 - $27,117 -
1974 $651 - $23,823 -
1973 $531 - $9,696 -
1972 $460 - $3,675 -
1971 $412 - $2,805 -
1970 $409 - $2,394 -
1969 $474 - - -
1968 $409 - - -
1967 $497 - - -
1966 $558 - - -
1965 $546 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Jordan's GDP per capita is $4,618, ranking 123/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jordan ranks 131st at $10,821, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Jordan UAE
Gross domestic product
$53.4B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
90/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
2.49%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,618
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
123/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$10,821
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
131/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$48.1B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
90.2%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,167
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
91/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,787
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$24.9B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.4%
2010
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2010
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.56%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.6%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
11555022
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jordan
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jordan UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33% 90.2% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 32.9% 89% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 33.3% 88.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 34.1% 87.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 33.7% 104.5% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 32.4% 92.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 32% 87.4% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 29.6% 86.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 29.8% 85% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 31.7% 83.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 39.2% 78.6% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 36.4% 78.1% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 32.2% 73.8% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 27.4% 63.9% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 29.8% 59.5% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 35.9% 55.5% 35% 21.1%
2008 35.8% 53.2% 22% 8.95%
2007 37.7% 64.4% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 34.7% 65.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 37.3% 80.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 36.6% 86% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 36% 94.6% 20% 3.33%
2002 32.9% 91.3% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 32.1% 89.7% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 33.1% 85.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 32.7% 98.1% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 34.9% 99.8% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 33.9% 98.1% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 36.2% 104.9% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 35.5% 106.1% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 34.3% 116.2% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 36.4% 126.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 35.5% 139.6% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 44.9% 187% 36% 4.97%
1990 44% 204.8% - -
1989 42.5% 195.4% - -
1988 44.3% 129.3% - -
1987 42.1% 101.9% - -
1986 33.8% 84.3% - -
1985 42.4% 85.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Jordan's government spending was $17.6B, accounting for 33% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 90.2% in Jordan and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 32/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jordan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jordan UAE
2024 -7.33% 6.41%
2023 -6.89% 5.82%
2022 -6.8% 9.8%
2021 -8.45% 3.96%
2020 -10.1% -2.42%
2019 -7.19% 2.5%
2018 -5.78% 3.65%
2017 -3.61% -0.16%
2016 -3.71% -2.95%
2015 -7.1% -6.35%
2014 -15.5% 1.74%
2013 -16.1% 7.99%
2012 -13.8% 8.59%
2011 -5.61% 5.05%
2010 -5.43% 0.52%
2009 -8.66% -6.13%
2008 -5.38% 17.6%
2007 -5.45% 17.1%
2006 -3.82% 20.2%
2005 -5.36% 16%
2004 -1.09% 6.4%
2003 -2.52% 2.35%
2002 -4.44% -1.24%
2001 -2.77% 1.21%
2000 -3.99% 10.7%
1999 -2.69% 1.31%
1998 -5.4% 1%
1997 -2.97% 6.71%
1996 -3.25% 0.92%
1995 -1.72% 3.58%
1994 -2.3% -1.78%
1993 -2.14% -2.89%
1992 1.87% 3.34%
1991 -10.2% 3.89%
1990 -7.45% -
1989 -6.89% -
1988 -13% -
1987 -13.4% -
1986 -2.39% -
1985 -6.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Jordan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.91B, equivalent to 7.33% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Jordan recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Jordan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.75% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jordan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jordan UAE
2024 1.56% 1.7%
2023 2.08% 1.6%
2022 4.23% 4.8%
2021 1.35% -0.1%
2020 0.33% -2.1%
2019 0.76% -1.9%
2018 4.46% 3.1%
2017 3.32% 2%
2016 -0.78% 1.6%
2015 -0.88% 4.1%
2014 2.9% 2.3%
2013 4.82% 1.1%
2012 4.52% 0.7%
2011 4.16% 0.9%
2010 4.85% 0.9%
2009 -0.74% -4.7%
2008 14% 12.3%
2007 4.74% 11.1%
2006 6.25% 9.3%
2005 3.49% 6.2%
2004 3.36% 5%
2003 1.63% 3.1%
2002 1.83% 2.9%
2001 1.77% 2.8%
2000 0.67% 1.3%
1999 0.61% 2.1%
1998 3.09% 2%
1997 3.04% 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/jordan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Jordan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.91%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 1.56% in Jordan and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Jordan
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $185M
Chemicals & pharma $99.7M
Raw agricultural goods $63.1M
Machinery & equipment $55.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $44.6M
Raw materials & minerals $30.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $25M
Miscellaneous $13.7M
Wood & paper products $11.9M
Animal & marine products $8.99M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.48B
Precious metals & jewellery $743M
Chemicals & pharma $339M
Metals $323M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $179M
Textiles & consumer goods $144M
Wood & paper products $68.3M
Animal & marine products $61.5M
Raw materials & minerals $60.3M
Raw agricultural goods $29.2M

Balance of trade

Jordan UAE
Current account balance
-$3.13B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
158/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.86%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$23.9B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$13.3B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$6.5B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$9.45B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.1%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.6%
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.

Jordan UAE
Economic freedom 59.3 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 104/197 29/197
Property rights 52.3 62.9
Government integrity 51 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 44 34.4
Tax burden 84.1 99.9
Government spending 67.2 85.1
Fiscal health 5.2 97.6
Business freedom 62.7 84.5
Labor freedom 51.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 81.2 81.2
Trade freedom 82 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Jordan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Jordan UAE
2026 59.3 71.9
2025 59.4 71.6
2024 58.3 71.1
2023 58.8 70.9
2022 60.1 70.2
2021 64.6 76.9
2020 66 76.2
2019 66.5 77.6
2018 64.9 77.6
2017 66.7 76.9
2016 68.3 72.6
2015 69.3 72.4
2014 69.2 71.4
2013 70.4 71.1
2012 69.9 69.3
2011 68.9 67.8
2010 66.1 67.3
2009 65.4 64.7
2008 64.1 62.6
2007 64.5 62.6
2006 63.7 62.2
2005 66.7 65.2
2004 66.1 67.2
2003 65.3 73.4
2002 66.2 73.6
2001 68.3 74.9
2000 67.5 74.2
1999 67.4 71.5
1998 66.8 72.2
1997 63.6 71.9
1996 60.8 71.6
1995 62.7 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Jordan is 59.3, ranking 104/197, 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

Jordan UAE
Services, % of GDP
60.4%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.07%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$51.2B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,570
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$21.9B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
60/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.58B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.63B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$54.1M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.2%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.2%
2021
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/jordan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023, 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.

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.