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

Updated on by Georank

Latvia has a GDP of $48.6B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 99/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Latvia has $22.8B in government debt (46.9% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Latvia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Latvia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Latvia UAE
2025 $48,618,869,160 -
2024 $44,001,275,013 $552,324,919,096
2023 $42,779,550,937 $522,622,268,401
2022 $38,003,198,509 $511,403,404,642
2021 $38,183,326,785 $422,441,282,436
2020 $33,379,927,435 $357,161,776,271
2019 $33,099,503,951 $433,926,218,686
2018 $33,247,935,477 $440,560,003,161
2017 $29,391,059,767 $403,365,056,079
2016 $27,117,105,060 $381,717,208,621
2015 $26,344,565,877 $381,973,135,513
2014 $30,277,203,767 $424,935,834,104
2013 $29,152,128,168 $409,632,574,703
2012 $27,116,149,949 $392,793,559,051
2011 $26,575,547,901 $368,881,033,963
2010 $23,468,324,572 $307,736,348,527
2009 $25,691,530,442 $253,547,358,747
2008 $34,135,200,994 $315,474,615,741
2007 $29,420,499,248 $257,916,148,767
2006 $20,434,922,247 $222,116,532,963
2005 $16,306,935,905 $180,617,467,954
2004 $13,827,070,379 $147,824,249,958
2003 $11,244,337,720 $124,346,476,180
2002 $9,249,030,241 $109,816,091,079
2001 $8,190,888,740 $103,311,631,797
2000 $7,761,252,607 $104,337,463,730
1999 $7,324,192,890 $84,445,399,335
1998 $6,974,112,951 $75,674,384,205
1997 $6,349,481,007 $78,838,886,862
1996 $5,799,465,288 $73,571,217,377
1995 $5,608,208,785 $65,743,604,966
1994 - $59,305,111,228
1993 - $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/latvia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Latvia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Latvia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $26,312 - - -
2024 $23,579 $43,394 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $22,710 $42,576 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $20,221 $40,559 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $20,262 $36,912 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $17,564 $32,741 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $17,295 $32,199 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $17,252 $29,818 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $15,132 $25,764 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $13,839 $24,063 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $13,322 $22,544 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $15,186 $21,554 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $14,484 $20,474 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $13,329 $19,417 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $12,903 $17,680 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $11,188 $16,373 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $11,996 $15,545 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $15,678 $17,443 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $13,371 $16,246 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $9,212 $14,180 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $7,284 $12,826 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $6,110 $11,319 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $4,915 $10,193 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $4,004 $9,569 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $3,505 $8,808 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $3,278 $7,849 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $3,064 $7,256 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $2,894 $6,922 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,610 $6,366 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,360 $5,688 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $2,257 $5,391 $27,003 $93,702
1994 - $5,012 $25,473 $89,959
1993 - $4,722 $25,033 $86,330
1992 - $4,760 $25,648 $87,509
1991 - $6,762 $25,691 $87,250
1990 - $7,448 $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/latvia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Latvia's GDP per capita is $26,312, ranking 51/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Latvia UAE
Gross domestic product
$48.6B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
99/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.14%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$26,312
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
51/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$43,394
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
53/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.9%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$12,353
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
50/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$16,702
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 n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.2%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45.4%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.75%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.9%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
1826986
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Latvia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Latvia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45.4% 46.9% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 44% 46.2% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 42.9% 44.4% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 43.6% 44.4% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 44.6% 45.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 42.6% 44% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 39% 37.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 39.4% 38.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 37.8% 40.3% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 37.4% 41.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 38.7% 38.3% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 39.2% 43.1% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 38.7% 41.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 38.6% 44.4% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 41.2% 46.8% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 43.6% 48.2% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 43.6% 37.6% 35% 21.1%
2008 38.2% 19.3% 22% 8.95%
2007 34.8% 9% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 35.5% 10.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 35.8% 12.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.8% 15.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 34.4% 15.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 35.4% 15.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 35% 17.8% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 37% 15.1% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 40.4% 14.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 38.1% 9.81% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Latvia's government spending was $22.1B, accounting for 45.4% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.9% in Latvia and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 112/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Latvia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Latvia UAE
2025 -4.05% 5.15%
2024 -1.72% 6.41%
2023 -3.36% 5.82%
2022 -3.95% 9.8%
2021 -5.71% 3.96%
2020 -3.85% -2.42%
2019 -0.39% 2.5%
2018 -0.77% 3.65%
2017 -0.85% -0.16%
2016 -0.41% -2.95%
2015 -1.57% -6.35%
2014 -1.74% 1.74%
2013 -0.58% 7.99%
2012 0.18% 8.59%
2011 -3.38% 5.05%
2010 -6.56% 0.52%
2009 -7.14% -6.13%
2008 -3.29% 17.6%
2007 0.63% 17.1%
2006 -0.48% 20.2%
2005 -1.06% 16%
2004 -1.04% 6.4%
2003 -1.67% 2.35%
2002 -2.59% -1.24%
2001 -2.03% 1.21%
2000 -2.57% 10.7%
1999 -3.54% 1.31%
1998 -0.66% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Latvia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $758M, equivalent to 1.72% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Latvia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Latvia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.23% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.84% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Latvia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Latvia UAE
2025 3.75% 1.3%
2024 1.27% 1.7%
2023 8.94% 1.6%
2022 17.3% 4.8%
2021 3.28% -0.1%
2020 0.22% -2.1%
2019 2.81% -1.9%
2018 2.53% 3.1%
2017 2.93% 2%
2016 0.14% 1.6%
2015 0.17% 4.1%
2014 0.62% 2.3%
2013 -0.03% 1.1%
2012 2.26% 0.7%
2011 4.37% 0.9%
2010 -1.08% 0.9%
2009 3.53% -4.7%
2008 15.4% 12.3%
2007 10.1% 11.1%
2006 6.54% 9.3%
2005 6.75% 6.2%
2004 6.19% 5%
2003 2.94% 3.1%
2002 1.94% 2.9%
2001 2.49% 2.8%
2000 2.65% 1.3%
1999 2.36% 2.1%
1998 4.64% 2%
1997 8.45% 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/latvia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Latvia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.26%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.75% in Latvia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Latvia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $78.6M
Chemicals & pharma $11.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.72M
Wood & paper products $9.23M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.98M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.36M
Metals $5.58M
Raw materials & minerals $2.59M
Miscellaneous $247K
Animal & marine products $230K
UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.8M
Chemicals & pharma $7.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.29M
Machinery & equipment $6.48M
Metals $2.03M
Raw agricultural goods $1.86M
Precious metals & jewellery $408K
Raw materials & minerals $359K
Miscellaneous $199K
Wood & paper products $130K

Balance of trade

Latvia UAE
Current account balance
-$1.64B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
133/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.38%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$25.6B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$21.1B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$7.07B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$9.33B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.2%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
62.6%
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.

Latvia UAE
Economic freedom 71.6 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 31/197 29/197
Property rights 88.8 62.9
Government integrity 67.7 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 70.9 34.4
Tax burden 70.9 99.9
Government spending 42.7 85.1
Fiscal health 80.8 97.6
Business freedom 80.7 84.5
Labor freedom 60.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 76.3 81.2
Trade freedom 79.4 78.6
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Latvia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Latvia UAE
2026 71.6 71.9
2025 71.4 71.6
2024 71.5 71.1
2023 72.8 70.9
2022 74.8 70.2
2021 72.3 76.9
2020 71.9 76.2
2019 70.4 77.6
2018 73.6 77.6
2017 74.8 76.9
2016 70.4 72.6
2015 69.7 72.4
2014 68.7 71.4
2013 66.5 71.1
2012 65.2 69.3
2011 65.8 67.8
2010 66.2 67.3
2009 66.6 64.7
2008 68.3 62.6
2007 67.9 62.6
2006 66.9 62.2
2005 66.3 65.2
2004 67.4 67.2
2003 66 73.4
2002 65 73.6
2001 66.4 74.9
2000 63.4 74.2
1999 64.2 71.5
1998 63.4 72.2
1997 62.4 71.9
1996 55 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Latvia is 71.6, ranking 31/197, 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

Latvia UAE
Services, % of GDP
64.2%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.01%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$46.1B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$45,740
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.1B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
95/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$72.5M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.51B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$257M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
22.5%
2022
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/latvia/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 (1996–2026, 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.