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

Updated on by Georank team

Myanmar has a GDP of $74.1B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 85/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Myanmar has $44B in government debt (59.3% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Myanmar vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Myanmar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Myanmar UAE
2024 $74,068,349,524 $552,324,846,835
2023 $66,757,619,000 $522,622,191,967
2022 $62,253,049,903 $511,403,403,676
2021 $66,345,291,149 $422,441,388,700
2020 $79,006,113,670 $357,161,878,829
2019 $75,065,106,243 $433,926,208,305
2018 $67,860,515,993 $440,560,108,918
2017 $66,053,040,475 $403,365,010,211
2016 $63,298,361,984 $381,717,086,453
2015 $59,607,290,408 $381,973,042,886
2014 $65,531,374,210 $424,935,874,745
2013 $60,269,732,855 $409,632,675,289
2012 $59,937,796,648 $392,793,464,942
2011 $59,977,326,086 $368,881,143,635
2010 $49,540,813,342 $307,736,419,333
2009 $36,906,181,381 $253,547,358,747
2008 $31,862,554,102 $315,474,615,739
2007 $20,182,477,481 $257,916,133,424
2006 $14,502,553,710 $222,116,541,865
2005 $11,986,972,419 $180,617,467,965
2004 $10,567,354,056 $147,824,370,320
2003 $10,467,109,978 $124,346,358,067
2002 $6,777,632,512 $109,816,201,498
2001 $6,477,790,688 $103,311,640,572
2000 $8,905,066,164 $104,337,372,362
1999 $8,486,832,801 $84,445,473,111
1998 $6,459,461,639 $75,674,336,283
1997 $4,722,288,496 $78,839,008,445
1996 $6,123,556,717 $73,571,233,996
1995 $5,289,174,943 $65,743,666,576
1994 $4,432,257,174 $59,305,093,980
1993 $3,163,020,035 $55,625,170,253
1992 $2,411,552,289 $54,239,171,888
1991 $2,069,832,687 $51,552,165,622
1990 $2,115,193,513 $50,701,443,748
1989 $2,013,448,229 $41,464,995,914
1988 $1,541,088,312 $36,275,674,203
1987 $1,562,448,077 $36,384,908,744
1986 $1,582,873,750 $33,943,612,095
1985 $1,478,908,173 $40,603,650,232
1984 $1,304,063,253 $41,807,954,236
1983 $1,381,573,615 $42,803,323,345
1982 $1,481,165,468 $46,622,718,605
1981 $1,111,000,765 $49,333,424,135
1980 $1,038,225,167 $43,599,160,050
1979 $952,265,043 $31,225,659,621
1978 $935,408,775 $23,775,764,225
1977 $873,579,932 $24,871,775,165
1976 $1,204,699,849 $19,213,158,779
1975 $1,061,107,354 $14,720,728,249
1974 $1,225,589,878 $11,651,505,689
1973 $719,754,655 $4,231,243,616
1972 $662,213,083 $1,415,086,929
1971 $587,448,405 $939,893,600
1970 $563,555,631 $685,986,701
1969 $571,854,215 -
1968 $559,956,130 -
1967 $420,359,036 -
1966 $293,103,479 -
1965 $367,053,117 -
1964 $411,419,906 -
1963 $598,998,419 -
1962 $634,528,872 -
1961 $605,581,577 -
1960 $545,098,448 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Myanmar vs United Arab Emirates by year

Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Myanmar UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,359 $5,997 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,233 $5,953 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,158 $5,732 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $1,243 $5,178 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $1,490 $5,741 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $1,426 $6,101 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $1,298 $5,581 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $1,273 $4,706 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $1,229 $4,460 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $1,167 $4,459 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,293 $4,376 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $1,199 $4,144 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,203 $3,845 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,214 $3,579 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,011 $3,348 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $758 $3,040 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $658 $2,748 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $419 $2,459 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $303 $2,153 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $252.7 $1,860 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $224.5 $1,601 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $224.3 $1,385 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $146.6 $1,204 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $141.5 $1,069 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $196.6 $949 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $189.5 $825 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $146 $742 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $108 $702 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $141.9 $661 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $124.1 $618 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $105.4 $573 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $76.2 $529 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $58.9 $494 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $51.2 $447 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $53.1 $441 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $51.3 - $23,167 -
1988 $39.9 - $21,570 -
1987 $41.1 - $23,113 -
1986 $42.4 - $23,132 -
1985 $40.4 - $29,468 -
1984 $36.3 - $32,012 -
1983 $39.3 - $34,650 -
1982 $43 - $39,972 -
1981 $32.8 - $44,854 -
1980 $31.2 - $42,925 -
1979 $29.2 - $34,238 -
1978 $29.3 - $29,379 -
1977 $27.9 - $35,020 -
1976 $39.2 - $31,197 -
1975 $35.2 - $27,117 -
1974 $41.4 - $23,823 -
1973 $24.8 - $9,696 -
1972 $23.3 - $3,675 -
1971 $21.1 - $2,805 -
1970 $20.7 - $2,394 -
1969 $21.5 - - -
1968 $21.5 - - -
1967 $16.5 - - -
1966 $11.8 - - -
1965 $15.1 - - -
1964 $17.3 - - -
1963 $25.8 - - -
1962 $27.9 - - -
1961 $27.3 - - -
1960 $25.1 - - -

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

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

Myanmar's GDP per capita is $1,359, ranking 165/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Myanmar UAE
Gross domestic product
$74.1B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
85/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,359
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
165/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,997
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
153/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$44B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.3%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$806
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
150/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,646
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%
25.5%
2017
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2017
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.83%
2018-2019
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.48%
2020
1.88%
2024
Population
55292116
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Myanmar
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Myanmar UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.7% 59.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 21.4% 59.1% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 21.3% 56.1% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 20.9% 63.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 21.3% 49.1% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 20.5% 37.6% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 18.7% 39.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 19.7% 41.9% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 21.3% 35.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 23.7% 36.6% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 24.7% 34.5% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 23.9% 44.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 20% 48% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 15.6% 49.9% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 15.8% 54.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 14.4% 56.4% 35% 21.1%
2008 14.4% 59.8% 22% 8.95%
2007 15.7% 77.4% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 15.6% 103.1% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 14.6% 119% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 14.6% 126.6% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 14.3% 146% 20% 3.33%
2002 15.3% 190.6% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 19.1% 262% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 21.4% 164.5% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 22.8% 150.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 25.2% 208.6% 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Myanmar's government spending was $15.3B, accounting for 20.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.3% in Myanmar and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 81/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Myanmar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Myanmar UAE
2024 -5.06% 6.41%
2023 -5.18% 5.82%
2022 -2.82% 9.8%
2021 -2.47% 3.96%
2020 -6.5% -2.42%
2019 -4.7% 2.5%
2018 -2.77% 3.65%
2017 -3.42% -0.16%
2016 -2.53% -2.95%
2015 -4.33% -6.35%
2014 -1.06% 1.74%
2013 -1.53% 7.99%
2012 -2.7% 8.59%
2011 -4.82% 5.05%
2010 -5.4% 0.52%
2009 -3.55% -6.13%
2008 -2.73% 17.6%
2007 -3.52% 17.1%
2006 -3.42% 20.2%
2005 -3.49% 16%
2004 -4.62% 6.4%
2003 -4.24% 2.35%
2002 -4.01% -1.24%
2001 -6.34% 1.21%
2000 -6.03% 10.7%
1999 -4.46% 1.31%
1998 -4.89% 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Myanmar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.75B, equivalent to 5.06% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Myanmar recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Myanmar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.84% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Myanmar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Myanmar UAE
2024 - 1.7%
2023 - 1.6%
2022 - 4.8%
2021 - -0.1%
2020 - -2.1%
2019 8.83% -1.9%
2018 6.87% 3.1%
2017 4.57% 2%
2016 6.93% 1.6%
2015 9.45% 4.1%
2014 4.95% 2.3%
2013 5.64% 1.1%
2012 1.47% 0.7%
2011 5.02% 0.9%
2010 7.72% 0.9%
2009 1.47% -4.7%
2008 26.8% 12.3%
2007 35% 11.1%
2006 20% 9.3%
2005 9.37% 6.2%
2004 4.53% 5%
2003 36.6% 3.1%
2002 57.1% 2.9%
2001 21.1% 2.8%
2000 -0.11% 1.3%
1999 18.4% 2.1%
1998 51.5% 2%
1997 29.7% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 23 years, Myanmar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.2%, compared with 3.1% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2019, inflation was 8.83% in Myanmar and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Myanmar
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $27.6M
Raw agricultural goods $26M
Textiles & consumer goods $16.7M
Machinery & equipment $578K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $439K
Raw materials & minerals $221K
Wood & paper products $197K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Miscellaneous $22K
Precious metals & jewellery $17K
UAE
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $24.6M
Raw materials & minerals $23.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17.4M
Machinery & equipment $8.35M
Precious metals & jewellery $7.69M
Wood & paper products $1.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $599K
Raw agricultural goods $255K
Metals $102K
Miscellaneous $73K

Balance of trade

Myanmar UAE
Current account balance
$67.7M
2019
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2019
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2019
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$13.7B
2019
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8B
2019
$467B
2024
Service imports
$3.66B
2019
$117B
2024
Service exports
$6.68B
2019
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.3%
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.

Myanmar UAE
Economic freedom 44.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 180/197 29/197
Property rights 5.7 62.9
Government integrity 18.1 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 3.9 34.4
Tax burden 88.6 99.9
Government spending 86.6 85.1
Fiscal health 62.7 97.6
Business freedom 37.9 84.5
Labor freedom 53.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 57.5 81.2
Trade freedom 69.4 78.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Myanmar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Myanmar UAE
2026 44.5 71.9
2025 43.7 71.6
2024 42.2 71.1
2023 46.5 70.9
2022 49.6 70.2
2021 55.2 76.9
2020 54 76.2
2019 53.6 77.6
2018 53.9 77.6
2017 52.5 76.9
2016 48.7 72.6
2015 46.9 72.4
2014 46.5 71.4
2013 39.2 71.1
2012 38.7 69.3
2011 37.8 67.8
2010 36.7 67.3
2009 37.7 64.7
2008 39.5 62.6
2007 41 62.6
2006 40 62.2
2005 40.5 65.2
2004 43.6 67.2
2003 44.9 73.4
2002 45.5 73.6
2001 46.1 74.9
2000 47.9 74.2
1999 46.4 71.5
1998 45.7 72.2
1997 45.4 71.9
1996 45.1 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Myanmar is 44.5, ranking 180/197, 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

Myanmar UAE
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.8%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$65.9B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,890
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2023
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2023
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2019
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.31%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2017
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/myanmar/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.