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

Updated on by Georank team

Madagascar has a GDP of $17.4B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 136/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $8.77B in government debt (50.3% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Madagascar vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Madagascar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar UAE
2024 $17,420,501,490 $552,324,846,835
2023 $15,869,945,478 $522,622,191,967
2022 $15,325,603,273 $511,403,403,676
2021 $14,354,731,964 $422,441,388,700
2020 $13,051,441,204 $357,161,878,829
2019 $14,104,664,679 $433,926,208,305
2018 $13,760,033,282 $440,560,108,918
2017 $13,176,313,594 $403,365,010,211
2016 $11,848,613,858 $381,717,086,453
2015 $11,323,020,701 $381,973,042,886
2014 $12,522,957,399 $424,935,874,745
2013 $12,423,555,455 $409,632,675,289
2012 $11,578,975,062 $392,793,464,942
2011 $11,551,819,618 $368,881,143,635
2010 $9,982,711,338 $307,736,419,333
2009 $9,616,879,409 $253,547,358,747
2008 $10,725,137,724 $315,474,615,739
2007 $8,524,620,890 $257,916,133,424
2006 $6,395,712,491 $222,116,541,865
2005 $5,859,269,753 $180,617,467,965
2004 $5,064,732,626 $147,824,370,320
2003 $6,372,498,890 $124,346,358,067
2002 $5,351,701,663 $109,816,201,498
2001 $5,438,332,602 $103,311,640,572
2000 $4,629,247,204 $104,337,372,362
1999 $4,277,903,780 $84,445,473,111
1998 $4,401,967,633 $75,674,336,283
1997 $4,262,965,420 $78,839,008,445
1996 $4,931,861,039 $73,571,233,996
1995 $3,838,100,904 $65,743,666,576
1994 $3,522,227,092 $59,305,093,980
1993 $4,063,298,919 $55,625,170,253
1992 $3,714,966,678 $54,239,171,888
1991 $3,254,713,056 $51,552,165,622
1990 $3,931,334,875 $50,701,443,748
1989 $3,175,638,333 $41,464,995,914
1988 $3,189,456,965 $36,275,674,203
1987 $3,212,900,556 $36,384,908,744
1986 $4,347,989,788 $33,943,612,095
1985 $3,802,557,895 $40,603,650,232
1984 $3,905,938,481 $41,807,954,236
1983 $4,686,457,031 $42,803,323,345
1982 $4,784,977,326 $46,622,718,605
1981 $4,759,333,998 $49,333,424,135
1980 $5,201,818,348 $43,599,160,050
1979 $3,463,565,854 $31,225,659,621
1978 $2,669,755,115 $23,775,764,225
1977 $2,358,930,406 $24,871,775,165
1976 $2,181,844,179 $19,213,158,779
1975 $2,283,049,215 $14,720,728,249
1974 $1,917,508,190 $11,651,505,689
1973 $1,653,062,335 $4,231,243,616
1972 $1,341,590,690 $1,415,086,929
1971 $1,199,507,631 $939,893,600
1970 $1,111,859,571 $685,986,701
1969 $1,056,391,056 -
1968 $1,031,669,637 -
1967 $956,436,932 -
1966 $900,264,585 -
1965 $833,563,473 -
1964 $802,482,184 -
1963 $759,345,864 -
1962 $739,286,908 -
1961 $699,161,945 -
1960 $673,081,725 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs United Arab Emirates by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $545 $1,884 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $509 $1,808 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $504 $1,717 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $483 $1,577 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $451 $1,490 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $500 $1,612 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $500 $1,547 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $492 $1,547 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $454 $1,562 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $445 $1,497 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $506 $1,499 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $515 $1,473 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $494 $1,464 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $506 $1,475 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $450 $1,464 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $446 $1,480 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $513 $1,577 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $420 $1,493 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $324 $1,416 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $306 $1,343 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $353 $1,219 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $305 $1,121 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $319 $1,299 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $340 $1,119 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $308 $1,116 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $262 $1,096 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $326 $1,166 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $271.3 - $23,167 -
1988 $280.5 - $21,570 -
1987 $290.8 - $23,113 -
1986 $405 - $23,132 -
1985 $364 - $29,468 -
1984 $385 - $32,012 -
1983 $476 - $34,650 -
1982 $501 - $39,972 -
1981 $513 - $44,854 -
1980 $578 - $42,925 -
1979 $396 - $34,238 -
1978 $315 - $29,379 -
1977 $286.9 - $35,020 -
1976 $273.5 - $31,197 -
1975 $295 - $27,117 -
1974 $255.3 - $23,823 -
1973 $226.8 - $9,696 -
1972 $189.6 - $3,675 -
1971 $174.6 - $2,805 -
1970 $166.6 - $2,394 -
1969 $162.9 - - -
1968 $163.6 - - -
1967 $155.9 - - -
1966 $150.7 - - -
1965 $143.2 - - -
1964 $141.5 - - -
1963 $137.4 - - -
1962 $137.3 - - -
1961 $133.3 - - -
1960 $131.7 - - -

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

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

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $545, ranking 193/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Madagascar UAE
Gross domestic product
$17.4B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
136/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$545
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
193/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$8.77B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.3%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$274.3
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
180/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,268
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%
29.6%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.2%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.87%
2022-2023
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
1.88%
2024
Population
33750171
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.2% 50.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 17.9% 52.7% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 16.2% 49.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 13% 44.1% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 12% 29.9% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 15.7% 31% 22% 8.95%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 20% 3.33%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 15.5% 104.1% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 16.9% 108.5% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 14.5% 89.7% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 14.4% 98.7% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 14.5% 95.8% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 16.7% 96% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 17.1% 105.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 16.2% 110.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 13.5% 113.8% 36% 4.97%
1990 13.3% 92.7% - -
1989 15.5% 122% - -
1988 11.4% 126.6% - -
1987 10.4% 127.5% - -
1986 11.1% 84.9% - -
1985 11.8% 82.7% - -
1984 13.9% 70.9% - -
1983 13.4% 57.5% - -
1982 14.3% 56.1% - -
1981 18.2% 51.5% - -
1980 22.7% 37.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Madagascar's government spending was $2.82B, accounting for 16.2% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.3% in Madagascar and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 106/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar UAE
2024 -2.48% 6.41%
2023 -4.19% 5.82%
2022 -5.46% 9.8%
2021 -2.83% 3.96%
2020 -3.96% -2.42%
2019 -1.42% 2.5%
2018 -1.34% 3.65%
2017 -2.1% -0.16%
2016 -1.11% -2.95%
2015 -2.85% -6.35%
2014 -1.96% 1.74%
2013 -3.4% 7.99%
2012 -2.24% 8.59%
2011 -2.04% 5.05%
2010 -0.76% 0.52%
2009 -2.26% -6.13%
2008 -1.72% 17.6%
2007 -2.31% 17.1%
2006 -5.71% 20.2%
2005 -2.47% 16%
2004 -4.23% 6.4%
2003 -3.32% 2.35%
2002 -4.09% -1.24%
2001 -3.61% 1.21%
2000 -2.35% 10.7%
1999 -2.42% 1.31%
1998 -5.31% 1%
1997 -2% 6.71%
1996 -3.97% 0.92%
1995 -5.09% 3.58%
1994 -7.23% -1.78%
1993 -6.34% -2.89%
1992 -5% 3.34%
1991 -4.4% 3.89%
1990 -0.49% -
1989 -3.35% -
1988 -0.57% -
1987 -2.12% -
1986 -2.24% -
1985 -2.39% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -6.04% -
1982 -6.97% -
1981 -9.97% -
1980 -11% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.29% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar UAE
2024 - 1.7%
2023 9.87% 1.6%
2022 8.16% 4.8%
2021 5.81% -0.1%
2020 4.2% -2.1%
2019 5.61% -1.9%
2018 8.59% 3.1%
2017 8.61% 2%
2016 6.04% 1.6%
2015 7.4% 4.1%
2014 6.08% 2.3%
2013 5.83% 1.1%
2012 5.71% 0.7%
2011 9.48% 0.9%
2010 9.25% 0.9%
2009 8.95% -4.7%
2008 9.3% 12.3%
2007 10.3% 11.1%
2006 10.8% 9.3%
2005 18.4% 6.2%
2004 14% 5%
2003 -1.7% 3.1%
2002 16.5% 2.9%
2001 7.92% 2.8%
2000 11.9% 1.3%
1999 9.93% 2.1%
1998 6.21% 2%
1997 4.49% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.42%, compared with 2.79% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2023, inflation was 9.87% in Madagascar and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.85M
Machinery & equipment $3.35M
Raw materials & minerals $2.33M
Precious metals & jewellery $725K
Textiles & consumer goods $693K
Wood & paper products $201K
Metals $29K
Animal & marine products $24K
Miscellaneous $23K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $43.4M
Raw materials & minerals $33M
Chemicals & pharma $7.89M
Precious metals & jewellery $5.72M
Metals $4.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.26M
Wood & paper products $2.75M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.59M
Raw agricultural goods $958K
Miscellaneous $312K

Balance of trade

Madagascar UAE
Current account balance
-$829M
2022
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
119/190
2022
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.41%
2022
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.52B
2022
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$3.55B
2022
$467B
2024
Service imports
$1.52B
2022
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.14B
2022
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.7%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
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.

Madagascar UAE
Economic freedom 57 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 29/197
Property rights 39.8 62.9
Government integrity 26.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 34.4
Tax burden 90.5 99.9
Government spending 91.5 85.1
Fiscal health 68.8 97.6
Business freedom 37.3 84.5
Labor freedom 56.1 63.2
Monetary freedom 71.8 81.2
Trade freedom 67.6 78.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar UAE
2026 57 71.9
2025 57 71.6
2024 57.3 71.1
2023 58.9 70.9
2022 58.9 70.2
2021 57.7 76.9
2020 60.5 76.2
2019 56.6 77.6
2018 56.8 77.6
2017 57.4 76.9
2016 61.1 72.6
2015 61.7 72.4
2014 61.7 71.4
2013 62 71.1
2012 62.4 69.3
2011 61.2 67.8
2010 63.2 67.3
2009 62.2 64.7
2008 62.4 62.6
2007 61.1 62.6
2006 61 62.2
2005 63.1 65.2
2004 60.9 67.2
2003 62.8 73.4
2002 56.8 73.6
2001 53.9 74.9
2000 54.4 74.2
1999 52.8 71.5
1998 51.8 72.2
1997 53.8 71.9
1996 52.2 71.6
1995 51.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, 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

Madagascar UAE
Services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.4B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
120/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$326M
2022
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
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/madagascar/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.