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

Updated on by Georank team

Oman has a GDP of $107B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 70/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Oman has $38B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Oman vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Oman
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Oman UAE
2024 $107,137,198,769 $552,324,846,835
2023 $106,174,708,037 $522,622,191,967
2022 $109,852,795,839 $511,403,403,676
2021 $87,323,797,139 $422,441,388,700
2020 $75,909,492,848 $357,161,878,829
2019 $88,060,858,257 $433,926,208,305
2018 $91,505,851,756 $440,560,108,918
2017 $80,856,697,009 $403,365,010,211
2016 $75,128,738,622 $381,717,086,453
2015 $78,710,793,238 $381,973,042,886
2014 $92,699,089,727 $424,935,874,745
2013 $89,936,020,806 $409,632,675,289
2012 $87,408,842,653 $392,793,464,942
2011 $77,497,529,259 $368,881,143,635
2010 $64,993,498,049 $307,736,419,333
2009 $55,454,096,229 $253,547,358,747
2008 $69,804,681,404 $315,474,615,739
2007 $48,300,390,117 $257,916,133,424
2006 $42,577,633,290 $222,116,541,865
2005 $35,506,892,068 $180,617,467,965
2004 $28,378,933,680 $147,824,370,320
2003 $24,733,680,104 $124,346,358,067
2002 $23,065,539,662 $109,816,201,498
2001 $22,205,721,717 $103,311,640,572
2000 $22,259,557,867 $104,337,372,362
1999 $17,832,769,831 $84,445,473,111
1998 $16,044,213,264 $75,674,336,283
1997 $18,039,791,938 $78,839,008,445
1996 $17,402,080,624 $73,571,233,996
1995 $15,722,236,671 $65,743,666,576
1994 $14,715,214,564 $59,305,093,980
1993 $14,230,429,129 $55,625,170,253
1992 $14,183,615,085 $54,239,171,888
1991 $12,918,335,501 $51,552,165,622
1990 $13,310,273,082 $50,701,443,748
1989 $9,372,171,651 $41,464,995,914
1988 $8,386,215,865 $36,275,674,203
1987 $7,811,183,095 $36,384,908,744
1986 $7,324,167,369 $33,943,612,095
1985 $10,005,645,420 $40,603,650,232
1984 $8,821,443,151 $41,807,954,236
1983 $7,932,541,691 $42,803,323,345
1982 $7,554,719,456 $46,622,718,605
1981 $7,259,120,151 $49,333,424,135
1980 $5,981,760,278 $43,599,160,050
1979 $3,733,352,635 $31,225,659,621
1978 $2,740,301,390 $23,775,764,225
1977 $2,741,169,948 $24,871,775,165
1976 $2,560,220,035 $19,213,158,779
1975 $2,096,699,189 $14,720,728,249
1974 $1,645,917,776 $11,651,505,689
1973 $483,066,991 $4,231,243,616
1972 $366,883,548 $1,415,086,929
1971 $301,010,587 $939,893,600
1970 $256,319,795 $685,986,701
1969 $239,999,808 -
1968 $188,879,849 -
1967 $107,151,832 -
1966 $67,759,973 -
1965 $63,279,975 -
1964 $61,872,526 -
1963 $59,912,763 -
1962 $56,273,202 -
1961 $45,634,487 -
1960 $44,234,656 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Oman vs United Arab Emirates by year

Oman
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Oman UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $20,285 $41,740 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $21,028 $41,945 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $23,224 $42,616 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $19,403 $38,719 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $16,785 $35,163 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $19,180 $37,251 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $19,902 $37,780 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $17,820 $33,619 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $17,110 $33,334 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $18,808 $36,058 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $23,161 $44,236 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $23,458 $47,013 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $24,642 $49,989 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $25,188 $52,393 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $23,570 $55,667 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $20,656 $55,127 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $26,577 $52,841 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $18,793 $48,627 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $16,931 $46,091 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $14,435 $43,673 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $11,801 $42,142 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $10,464 $40,935 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $9,869 $41,511 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $9,612 $41,679 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $9,754 $39,443 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $7,915 $36,792 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $7,219 $36,666 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $8,235 $36,809 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $8,068 $34,661 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $7,414 $33,598 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $7,068 $31,925 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $7,039 $30,987 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $7,318 $29,773 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $6,977 $28,109 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $7,546 $26,904 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $5,591 - $23,167 -
1988 $5,279 - $21,570 -
1987 $5,204 - $23,113 -
1986 $5,182 - $23,132 -
1985 $7,549 - $29,468 -
1984 $7,070 - $32,012 -
1983 $6,714 - $34,650 -
1982 $6,759 - $39,972 -
1981 $6,866 - $44,854 -
1980 $5,974 - $42,925 -
1979 $3,934 - $34,238 -
1978 $3,044 - $29,379 -
1977 $3,205 - $35,020 -
1976 $3,143 - $31,197 -
1975 $2,692 - $27,117 -
1974 $2,203 - $23,823 -
1973 $670 - $9,696 -
1972 $524 - $3,675 -
1971 $442 - $2,805 -
1970 $387 - $2,394 -
1969 $372 - - -
1968 $300 - - -
1967 $174.7 - - -
1966 $113.2 - - -
1965 $108.1 - - -
1964 $108.1 - - -
1963 $106.8 - - -
1962 $102.3 - - -
1961 $84.5 - - -
1960 $83.4 - - -

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

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

Oman's GDP per capita is $20,285, ranking 57/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Oman ranks 55th at $41,740, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Oman UAE
Gross domestic product
$107B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
70/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
1.63%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$20,285
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
57/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,740
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
55/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$38B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$7,204
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
67/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,894
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$22.3B
2022
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.3%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
5761708
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Oman
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Oman UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.7% 35.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 27.5% 37.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 30.9% 41.7% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 36.5% 61.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 44.5% 67.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 38.8% 52.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 38.3% 44.7% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 39.4% 40.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 44.6% 29.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 44.5% 13.9% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 41.4% 4.04% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 39.3% 4.66% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 38.6% 4.59% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 34.5% 4.44% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 30.6% 5.46% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 33.4% 5.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 25.6% 3.2% 22% 8.95%
2007 30.7% 4.44% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 30.1% 7.56% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 30.6% 8.39% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.1% 14.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 34% 13% 20% 3.33%
2002 34.1% 15.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 33.3% 22.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 31.2% 21.7% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 34.2% 28.9% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 36.1% 30.9% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 32.1% 20.8% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 33.5% 21.2% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 38.2% 21.9% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 39.7% 23.6% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 40.1% 22.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 40.1% 23.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 37.4% 22.6% 36% 4.97%
1990 36.5% 17.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Oman's government spending was $30.7B, accounting for 28.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Oman and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 145/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Oman

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Oman UAE
2024 3.31% 6.41%
2023 6.87% 5.82%
2022 10.5% 9.8%
2021 -3.17% 3.96%
2020 -15.7% -2.42%
2019 -4.83% 2.5%
2018 -6.72% 3.65%
2017 -10.5% -0.16%
2016 -19.6% -2.95%
2015 -13.5% -6.35%
2014 -1.58% 1.74%
2013 2.78% 7.99%
2012 4.07% 8.59%
2011 8.24% 5.05%
2010 4.95% 0.52%
2009 -0.27% -6.13%
2008 14.7% 17.6%
2007 10.5% 17.1%
2006 12.2% 20.2%
2005 11.2% 16%
2004 5.43% 6.4%
2003 5.92% 2.35%
2002 5.31% -1.24%
2001 7.55% 1.21%
2000 12.2% 10.7%
1999 0.3% 1.31%
1998 -4.37% 1%
1997 4.77% 6.71%
1996 2.22% 0.92%
1995 -3.9% 3.58%
1994 -7.47% -1.78%
1993 -6.84% -2.89%
1992 -4.85% 3.34%
1991 0.12% 3.89%
1990 4.78% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Oman's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.54B, equivalent to 3.31% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Oman recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Oman posted an annual surplus equal to 0.88% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Oman

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Oman UAE
2024 0.6% 1.7%
2023 1% 1.6%
2022 2.5% 4.8%
2021 1.7% -0.1%
2020 -0.4% -2.1%
2019 0.5% -1.9%
2018 0.7% 3.1%
2017 1.5% 2%
2016 0.9% 1.6%
2015 0.1% 4.1%
2014 1.2% 2.3%
2013 1.3% 1.1%
2012 2.9% 0.7%
2011 4.1% 0.9%
2010 3.3% 0.9%
2009 3.5% -4.7%
2008 12.6% 12.3%
2007 5.9% 11.1%
2006 3.2% 9.3%
2005 1.9% 6.2%
2004 0.8% 5%
2003 0.2% 3.1%
2002 -0.3% 2.9%
2001 -0.8% 2.8%
2000 -1.2% 1.3%
1999 0.5% 2.1%
1998 0.4% 2%
1997 -0.4% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Oman has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.72%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Oman and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Oman
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.14B
Metals $781M
Raw materials & minerals $680M
Chemicals & pharma $459M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $191M
Wood & paper products $182M
Animal & marine products $136M
Precious metals & jewellery $72M
Textiles & consumer goods $59.4M
Raw agricultural goods $57M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.91B
Precious metals & jewellery $2.32B
Chemicals & pharma $1.17B
Metals $1.17B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $996M
Raw materials & minerals $791M
Textiles & consumer goods $686M
Raw agricultural goods $333M
Wood & paper products $330M
Animal & marine products $169M

Balance of trade

Oman UAE
Current account balance
$3.07B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
39/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.86%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$39.5B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$65.2B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$12.8B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$5.64B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.8%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
66.1%
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.

Oman UAE
Economic freedom 68.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 45/197 29/197
Property rights 71.8 62.9
Government integrity 49.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 28 34.4
Tax burden 97.6 99.9
Government spending 74.7 85.1
Fiscal health 97.5 97.6
Business freedom 67.8 84.5
Labor freedom 47.7 63.2
Monetary freedom 79.2 81.2
Trade freedom 78.4 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Oman
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Oman UAE
2026 68.5 71.9
2025 65.4 71.6
2024 62.9 71.1
2023 58.5 70.9
2022 56.6 70.2
2021 64.6 76.9
2020 63.6 76.2
2019 61 77.6
2018 61 77.6
2017 62.1 76.9
2016 67.1 72.6
2015 66.7 72.4
2014 67.4 71.4
2013 68.1 71.1
2012 67.9 69.3
2011 69.8 67.8
2010 67.7 67.3
2009 67 64.7
2008 67.3 62.6
2007 65.8 62.6
2006 63.7 62.2
2005 66.5 65.2
2004 66.9 67.2
2003 64.6 73.4
2002 64 73.6
2001 67.7 74.9
2000 64.1 74.2
1999 64.9 71.5
1998 64.9 72.2
1997 64.5 71.9
1996 65.4 71.6
1995 70.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Oman is 68.5, ranking 45/197, 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

Oman UAE
Services, % of GDP
46%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
54.2%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.6%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$103B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,340
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.3B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
64/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$12.6B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12.5B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$143M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
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/oman/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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023, 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.

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.