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

Updated on by Georank

Jordan has a GDP of $61.6B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 90/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jordan has $51B in government debt (82.8% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% 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
2025 $61,610,052,535 -
2024 $58,618,380,563 $552,324,919,096
2023 $56,123,472,113 $522,622,268,401
2022 $53,516,930,141 $511,403,404,642
2021 $50,702,940,986 $422,441,282,436
2020 $47,931,770,986 $357,161,776,271
2019 $48,640,273,803 $433,926,218,686
2018 $47,435,850,423 $440,560,003,161
2017 $45,535,614,366 $403,365,056,079
2016 $43,688,498,732 $381,717,208,621
2015 $42,394,049,296 $381,973,135,513
2014 $40,535,098,592 $424,935,834,104
2013 $37,873,362,958 $409,632,574,703
2012 $34,854,017,887 $392,793,559,051
2011 $32,640,291,549 $368,881,033,963
2010 $30,202,773,521 $307,736,348,527
2009 $27,462,496,197 $253,547,358,747
2008 $25,651,620,831 $315,474,615,741
2007 $17,110,437,236 $257,916,148,767
2006 $15,056,981,664 $222,116,532,963
2005 $12,588,998,590 $180,617,467,954
2004 $11,411,706,629 $147,824,249,958
2003 $10,195,627,645 $124,346,476,180
2002 $9,582,510,578 $109,816,091,079
2001 $8,975,814,653 $103,311,631,797
2000 $8,460,789,845 $104,337,463,730
1999 $8,149,929,478 $84,445,399,335
1998 $7,912,270,804 $75,674,384,205
1997 $7,245,839,210 $78,838,886,862
1996 $6,927,503,526 $73,571,217,377
1995 $6,727,597,032 $65,743,604,966
1994 $6,236,295,978 $59,305,111,228
1993 $5,606,400,222 $55,625,269,485
1992 $5,310,833,194 $54,239,188,746
1991 $4,344,467,193 $51,552,058,250
1990 $4,160,087,508 $50,701,374,187
1989 $4,221,373,674 $41,464,966,302
1988 $6,277,451,829 $36,275,613,877
1987 $6,756,209,762 $36,384,802,310
1986 $6,402,050,485 $33,943,568,481
1985 $4,993,601,520 $40,603,631,079
1984 $4,967,162,160 $41,807,931,453
1983 $4,920,692,191 $42,803,373,390
1982 $4,681,240,993 $46,622,715,281
1981 $4,383,944,703 $49,333,471,895
1980 $3,910,044,474 $43,599,134,193
1979 $3,271,368,781 $31,225,557,022
1978 $2,602,208,589 $23,775,718,541
1977 $2,096,778,602 $24,871,660,292
1976 $1,708,521,219 $19,213,212,475
1975 $1,363,073,498 $14,720,729,969
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $5,348 - - -
2024 $5,074 $10,821 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $4,906 $10,412 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $4,754 $9,927 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $4,582 $9,182 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $4,411 $9,579 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $4,558 $9,429 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $4,534 $9,042 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $4,449 $9,266 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $4,366 $8,748 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $4,442 $8,967 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $4,611 $9,145 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $4,739 $9,817 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $4,594 $9,739 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $4,363 $9,632 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $4,139 $9,417 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $3,845 $9,291 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $3,670 $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 - $44,855 -
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 (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Jordan's GDP per capita is $5,348, ranking 120/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. 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
$61.6B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
90/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.83%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,348
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
120/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$10,821
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
131/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$51B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.8%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,430
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
91/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,506
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$37.4B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
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
33.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
16.8%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
11538682
11885001

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
2025 33.7% 82.8% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 34.6% 82.1% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 33.9% 81% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 32.8% 80.7% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 33.8% 79.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 33% 77.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 32.7% 69.4% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 33.3% 67.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 31.7% 69.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 30% 70.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 32.3% 71.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 36.3% 68.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 34.5% 68.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 28.3% 64% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 29.3% 56.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 26.6% 53.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 30.7% 51.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 29.6% 47.9% 22% 8.95%
2007 32.4% 58.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 34% 60% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 36.6% 66.1% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 35.1% 73.8% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 35% 80.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 31.6% 85.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 30.6% 85.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 31.2% 89.9% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 31.8% 98.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 32.3% 96.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 30.7% 94.7% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 32.6% 101.2% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 32.1% 102.4% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 30.6% 112.1% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 32.5% 122.1% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 31.7% 134.7% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 39.6% 180.5% 36% 4.97%
1990 39.9% 197.7% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Jordan's government spending was $20.8B, accounting for 33.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.8% in Jordan and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 39/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jordan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jordan UAE
2025 -6.35% 5.15%
2024 -7.27% 6.41%
2023 -6.49% 5.82%
2022 -4.9% 9.8%
2021 -6.62% 3.96%
2020 -7.56% -2.42%
2019 -5.06% 2.5%
2018 -4.23% 3.65%
2017 -3.22% -0.16%
2016 -2.62% -2.95%
2015 -5.18% -6.35%
2014 -6.75% 1.74%
2013 -8.78% 7.99%
2012 -3.33% 8.59%
2011 -1.21% 5.05%
2010 0.19% 0.52%
2009 -2.28% -6.13%
2008 1.92% 17.6%
2007 2.76% 17.1%
2006 -1.86% 20.2%
2005 -2.2% 16%
2004 0.56% 6.4%
2003 -1.6% 2.35%
2002 -3.21% -1.24%
2001 -1.13% 1.21%
2000 -1.85% 10.7%
1999 -1.13% 1.31%
1998 -5.59% 1%
1997 -2.68% 6.71%
1996 -2.69% 0.92%
1995 -1.45% 3.58%
1994 -1.67% -1.78%
1993 -1.43% -2.89%
1992 2.07% 3.34%
1991 -8.1% 3.89%
1990 -6.82% -
1989 -6.89% -
1988 -13% -
1987 -13.4% -
1986 -2.39% -
1985 -6.9% -

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/jordan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Jordan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.26B, equivalent to 7.27% 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 29 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Jordan posted an annual deficit equal to 3.08% 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
2025 1.77% 1.3%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Jordan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.87%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Jordan and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Jordan
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $111M
Chemicals & pharma $102M
Raw agricultural goods $100M
Machinery & equipment $86.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $44.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $40.1M
Metals $26.5M
Raw materials & minerals $24.3M
Miscellaneous $14.5M
Animal & marine products $12.1M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.11B
Precious metals & jewellery $848M
Textiles & consumer goods $556M
Chemicals & pharma $459M
Metals $429M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $255M
Wood & paper products $95.2M
Raw materials & minerals $77.3M
Raw agricultural goods $73.7M
Animal & marine products $56.6M

Balance of trade

Jordan UAE
Current account balance
-$3.13B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
152/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.33%
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 2026-07-08).

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
56.8%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.4%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.56%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$60.6B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,440
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$26.6B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2025
14/177
2025
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
7.85%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.2%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23%
2021
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/jordan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.