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

Updated on by Georank

Oman has a GDP of $110B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 70/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Oman has $39.2B in government debt (35.8% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% 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
2025 $109,604,780,696 -
2024 $107,137,198,700 $552,324,919,096
2023 $106,174,707,932 $522,622,268,401
2022 $109,852,795,839 $511,403,404,642
2021 $87,323,797,139 $422,441,282,436
2020 $75,909,492,848 $357,161,776,271
2019 $88,060,858,257 $433,926,218,686
2018 $91,505,851,756 $440,560,003,161
2017 $80,856,697,009 $403,365,056,079
2016 $75,128,738,622 $381,717,208,621
2015 $78,710,793,238 $381,973,135,513
2014 $92,699,089,727 $424,935,834,104
2013 $89,936,020,806 $409,632,574,703
2012 $87,408,842,653 $392,793,559,051
2011 $77,497,529,259 $368,881,033,963
2010 $64,993,498,049 $307,736,348,527
2009 $55,454,096,229 $253,547,358,747
2008 $69,804,681,404 $315,474,615,741
2007 $48,300,390,117 $257,916,148,767
2006 $42,577,633,290 $222,116,532,963
2005 $35,506,892,068 $180,617,467,954
2004 $28,378,933,680 $147,824,249,958
2003 $24,733,680,104 $124,346,476,180
2002 $23,065,539,662 $109,816,091,079
2001 $22,205,721,717 $103,311,631,797
2000 $22,259,557,867 $104,337,463,730
1999 $17,832,769,831 $84,445,399,335
1998 $16,044,213,264 $75,674,384,205
1997 $18,039,791,938 $78,838,886,862
1996 $17,402,080,624 $73,571,217,377
1995 $15,722,236,671 $65,743,604,966
1994 $14,715,214,564 $59,305,111,228
1993 $14,230,429,129 $55,625,269,485
1992 $14,183,615,085 $54,239,188,746
1991 $12,918,335,501 $51,552,058,250
1990 $13,310,273,082 $50,701,374,187
1989 $9,372,171,651 $41,464,966,302
1988 $8,386,215,865 $36,275,613,877
1987 $7,811,183,095 $36,384,802,310
1986 $7,324,167,369 $33,943,568,481
1985 $10,005,645,420 $40,603,631,079
1984 $8,821,443,151 $41,807,931,453
1983 $7,932,541,691 $42,803,373,390
1982 $7,554,719,456 $46,622,715,281
1981 $7,259,120,151 $49,333,471,895
1980 $5,981,760,278 $43,599,134,193
1979 $3,733,352,635 $31,225,557,022
1978 $2,740,301,390 $23,775,718,541
1977 $2,741,169,948 $24,871,660,292
1976 $2,560,220,035 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,096,699,189 $14,720,729,969
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $19,947 - - -
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 $44,118 $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 - $44,855 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Oman's GDP per capita is $19,947, ranking 60/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. 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
$110B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
70/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.4%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,947
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
60/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,740
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
55/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$39.2B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.8%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$7,132
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
70/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$19,851
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$41.3B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.3%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
5775345
11885001

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
2025 28.9% 35.8% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 28.7% 35.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 27.5% 37.4% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 31.1% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Oman's government spending was $31.7B, accounting for 28.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.8% in Oman and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 142/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Oman

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Oman UAE
2025 1.04% 5.15%
2024 3.22% 6.41%
2023 6.72% 5.82%
2022 10.3% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Oman's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.45B, equivalent to 3.22% 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 0.87% 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
2025 1% 1.3%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Oman has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.7%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 1% in Oman and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Oman
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.34B
Metals $1.09B
Raw materials & minerals $487M
Chemicals & pharma $462M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $212M
Precious metals & jewellery $192M
Animal & marine products $158M
Wood & paper products $131M
Textiles & consumer goods $70.6M
Raw agricultural goods $61.4M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.52B
Precious metals & jewellery $1.58B
Metals $1.17B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.13B
Chemicals & pharma $1.12B
Raw materials & minerals $992M
Textiles & consumer goods $687M
Raw agricultural goods $337M
Wood & paper products $299M
Animal & marine products $150M

Balance of trade

Oman UAE
Current account balance
$3.07B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
37/190
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 2026-07-08).

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
47.2%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.7%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.81%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$103B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,390
2024
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.3B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
68/177
2024
14/177
2025
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 (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, 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. TradeMap (2024, 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.