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

Updated on by Georank team

Pakistan has a GDP of $372B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 43/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Pakistan has $262B in government debt (70.4% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Pakistan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Pakistan UAE
2024 $371,570,000,121 $552,324,846,835
2023 $336,686,348,609 $522,622,191,967
2022 $374,890,295,667 $511,403,403,676
2021 $348,516,647,445 $422,441,388,700
2020 $300,425,609,818 $357,161,878,829
2019 $320,909,472,771 $433,926,208,305
2018 $356,128,166,705 $440,560,108,918
2017 $339,205,534,861 $403,365,010,211
2016 $313,630,000,130 $381,717,086,453
2015 $299,963,590,535 $381,973,042,886
2014 $271,390,474,858 $424,935,874,745
2013 $258,657,231,672 $409,632,675,289
2012 $250,106,966,105 $392,793,464,942
2011 $230,586,581,060 $368,881,143,635
2010 $196,709,621,850 $307,736,419,333
2009 $187,337,783,856 $253,547,358,747
2008 $202,203,748,584 $315,474,615,739
2007 $184,140,869,997 $257,916,133,424
2006 $161,871,385,506 $222,116,541,865
2005 $145,208,562,961 $180,617,467,965
2004 $132,216,048,339 $147,824,370,320
2003 $112,371,913,741 $124,346,358,067
2002 $97,923,302,809 $109,816,201,498
2001 $97,145,618,480 $103,311,640,572
2000 $99,484,802,345 $104,337,372,362
1999 $62,973,857,069 $84,445,473,111
1998 $62,191,955,814 $75,674,336,283
1997 $62,433,340,468 $78,839,008,445
1996 $63,320,170,084 $73,571,233,996
1995 $60,636,071,684 $65,743,666,576
1994 $52,293,470,813 $59,305,093,980
1993 $51,809,999,353 $55,625,170,253
1992 $48,884,671,947 $54,239,171,888
1991 $45,625,336,680 $51,552,165,622
1990 $40,010,423,970 $50,701,443,748
1989 $40,171,106,279 $41,464,995,914
1988 $38,472,742,808 $36,275,674,203
1987 $33,351,529,275 $36,384,908,744
1986 $31,899,070,056 $33,943,612,095
1985 $31,144,920,844 $40,603,650,232
1984 $31,151,825,467 $41,807,954,236
1983 $28,691,889,764 $42,803,323,345
1982 $30,725,971,564 $46,622,718,605
1981 $28,100,606,061 $49,333,424,135
1980 $23,654,444,444 $43,599,160,050
1979 $19,688,383,838 $31,225,659,621
1978 $17,811,515,152 $23,775,764,225
1977 $15,126,060,606 $24,871,775,165
1976 $13,168,080,808 $19,213,158,779
1975 $11,230,606,061 $14,720,728,249
1974 $8,899,191,919 $11,651,505,689
1973 $6,383,429,490 $4,231,243,616
1972 $9,415,016,360 $1,415,086,929
1971 $10,665,896,682 $939,893,600
1970 $10,027,509,450 $685,986,701
1969 $8,683,116,338 -
1968 $8,041,999,160 -
1967 $7,464,510,710 -
1966 $6,561,108,778 -
1965 $5,929,231,415 -
1964 $5,204,955,901 -
1963 $4,630,827,383 -
1962 $4,310,163,797 -
1961 $4,118,647,627 -
1960 $3,749,265,015 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Pakistan vs United Arab Emirates by year

Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Pakistan UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,479 $6,252 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,360 $6,014 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,538 $5,920 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $1,455 $5,367 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $1,278 $5,048 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $1,390 $5,038 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $1,569 $4,979 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $1,519 $4,790 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $1,425 $4,631 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $1,380 $4,480 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,267 $4,313 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $1,225 $4,174 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,204 $4,047 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,132 $3,880 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $987 $3,786 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $964 $3,777 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,067 $3,721 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $998 $3,672 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $901 $3,515 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $828 $3,293 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $772 $3,048 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $672 $2,822 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $600 $2,688 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $610 $2,644 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $642 $2,565 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $418 $2,475 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $424 $2,419 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $438 $2,398 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $457 $2,401 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $451 $2,315 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $400 $2,224 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $408 $2,160 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $396 $2,132 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $380 $1,992 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $344 $1,895 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $358 - $23,167 -
1988 $354 - $21,570 -
1987 $317 - $23,113 -
1986 $314 - $23,132 -
1985 $317 - $29,468 -
1984 $327 - $32,012 -
1983 $311 - $34,650 -
1982 $345 - $39,972 -
1981 $328 - $44,854 -
1980 $287.4 - $42,925 -
1979 $249.2 - $34,238 -
1978 $233.4 - $29,379 -
1977 $204.7 - $35,020 -
1976 $183.9 - $31,197 -
1975 $161.7 - $27,117 -
1974 $132 - $23,823 -
1973 $97.5 - $9,696 -
1972 $148.1 - $3,675 -
1971 $172.5 - $2,805 -
1970 $166.7 - $2,394 -
1969 $148.5 - - -
1968 $141.6 - - -
1967 $135.2 - - -
1966 $122.2 - - -
1965 $113.6 - - -
1964 $102.5 - - -
1963 $93.7 - - -
1962 $89.5 - - -
1961 $87.8 - - -
1960 $82 - - -

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

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

Pakistan's GDP per capita is $1,479, ranking 163/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Pakistan UAE
Gross domestic product
$372B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
43/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.05%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,479
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
163/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,252
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
150/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$262B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.4%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,041
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
140/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,668
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$52.1B
2024
$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%
2018
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2018
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
12.6%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.96%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
260356147
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Pakistan
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Pakistan UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 70.4% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19.3% 78.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 20% 77.3% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 18.5% 74.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 20.3% 80.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 19.1% 78.7% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 19.1% 66.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 19.1% 62.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 17.7% 62.1% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 17.8% 59.1% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 18.1% 58.8% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 19.5% 59.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 19.4% 58.4% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 17.9% 56.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 18.3% 56.7% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 17.3% 54.6% 35% 21.1%
2008 18% 49.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 16.1% 44.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 14.5% 46.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 13% 47.9% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 12.1% 50.6% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 12.9% 56.3% 20% 3.33%
2002 14.4% 60.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 12.9% 65.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 13.8% 61.7% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 13.2% 60.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 14.1% 53.8% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 13.7% 52.8% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 15% 52.5% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 14% 52.3% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 14.5% 58.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 17% 57.9% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 22.6% 53.3% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 21.4% 55.8% 36% 4.97%
1990 23.9% 48.3% - -
1989 26.1% 46.6% - -
1988 27.9% 45% - -
1987 29.5% 44.4% - -
1986 27.6% 43.1% - -
1985 28.3% 37% - -
1984 25.4% 33.4% - -
1983 24.8% 33.6% - -
1982 24.5% 33.8% - -
1981 21.6% 29.7% - -
1980 22% 33.3% - -
1979 25.3% 36.8% - -
1978 25.5% 36.1% - -
1977 20.4% 36.4% - -
1976 21% 35.8% - -
1975 20.4% 32.1% - -
1974 15.3% 38% - -
1973 13.9% 43.4% - -
1972 13.5% 88.7% - -
1971 22.1% 33.2% - -
1970 23.6% 31.6% - -
1969 15.6% 29.1% - -
1968 13.7% 27.5% - -
1967 12.9% 25.9% - -
1966 12.2% 25.1% - -
1965 11.2% 22.7% - -
1964 12.1% 21.3% - -
1963 14.7% 19.2% - -
1962 11.8% 16.6% - -
1961 10.6% 19.6% - -
1960 10% 19.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Pakistan's government spending was $72.4B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.4% in Pakistan and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 56/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Pakistan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Pakistan UAE
2024 -6.81% 6.41%
2023 -7.76% 5.82%
2022 -7.84% 9.8%
2021 -6.04% 3.96%
2020 -7.03% -2.42%
2019 -7.79% 2.5%
2018 -5.67% 3.65%
2017 -5.17% -0.16%
2016 -3.92% -2.95%
2015 -4.74% -6.35%
2014 -4.37% 1.74%
2013 -7.48% 7.99%
2012 -7.74% 8.59%
2011 -6.23% 5.05%
2010 -5.42% 0.52%
2009 -4.53% -6.13%
2008 -5.94% 17.6%
2007 -4.23% 17.1%
2006 -2.79% 20.2%
2005 -2.29% 16%
2004 -1.29% 6.4%
2003 -0.12% 2.35%
2002 -2.64% -1.24%
2001 -2.45% 1.21%
2000 -3.21% 10.7%
1999 -3.07% 1.31%
1998 -4.46% 1%
1997 -3.87% 6.71%
1996 -4.33% 0.92%
1995 -3.9% 3.58%
1994 -3.63% -1.78%
1993 -5.53% -2.89%
1992 -11.3% 3.34%
1991 -10.8% 3.89%
1990 -11.9% -
1989 -7.01% -
1988 -9.35% -
1987 -11.7% -
1986 -9.79% -
1985 -10.6% -
1984 -8.9% -
1983 -7.55% -
1982 -8.24% -
1981 -5.83% -
1980 -5.32% -
1979 -11.6% -
1978 -12.4% -
1977 -8.74% -
1976 -9.05% -
1975 -8.97% -
1974 -4.45% -
1973 -3.99% -
1972 -3.16% -
1971 -7.45% -
1970 -10.8% -
1969 -7.08% -
1968 -5.56% -
1967 -4.27% -
1966 -4.48% -
1965 -3.28% -
1964 -4.89% -
1963 -6.55% -
1962 -3.39% -
1961 -4.6% -
1960 -3.83% -
1959 -3.71% -
1958 -4.2% -
1957 -2.21% -
1956 -2.36% -
1955 -2% -
1954 -3.18% -
1953 -2.66% -
1952 -0.73% -
1951 0.63% -
1950 -1.24% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Pakistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $25.3B, equivalent to 6.81% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Pakistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Pakistan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.13% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Pakistan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Pakistan UAE
2024 12.6% 1.7%
2023 30.8% 1.6%
2022 19.9% 4.8%
2021 9.5% -0.1%
2020 9.74% -2.1%
2019 10.6% -1.9%
2018 5.08% 3.1%
2017 4.09% 2%
2016 3.77% 1.6%
2015 2.53% 4.1%
2014 7.19% 2.3%
2013 7.69% 1.1%
2012 9.68% 0.7%
2011 11.9% 0.9%
2010 12.9% 0.9%
2009 13.6% -4.7%
2008 20.3% 12.3%
2007 7.6% 11.1%
2006 7.92% 9.3%
2005 9.06% 6.2%
2004 7.44% 5%
2003 2.91% 3.1%
2002 3.29% 2.9%
2001 3.15% 2.8%
2000 4.37% 1.3%
1999 4.14% 2.1%
1998 6.23% 2%
1997 11.4% 3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Pakistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.26%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 12.6% in Pakistan and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $546M
Raw agricultural goods $411M
Raw materials & minerals $260M
Animal & marine products $237M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $95.5M
Chemicals & pharma $86.4M
Machinery & equipment $70.9M
Metals $22.8M
Weapons & explosives $16.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $9.99M
UAE
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.39B
Machinery & equipment $989M
Metals $645M
Chemicals & pharma $612M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $194M
Raw agricultural goods $178M
Textiles & consumer goods $148M
Precious metals & jewellery $59.9M
Wood & paper products $34.9M
Animal & marine products $6.27M

Balance of trade

Pakistan UAE
Current account balance
$496M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.13%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$55.6B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$32.1B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$11.2B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$8.1B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.4%
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.

Pakistan UAE
Economic freedom 48.9 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 168/197 29/197
Property rights 25.7 62.9
Government integrity 26.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 27.6 34.4
Tax burden 78.2 99.9
Government spending 88.5 85.1
Fiscal health 10.1 97.6
Business freedom 54.4 84.5
Labor freedom 51.7 63.2
Monetary freedom 54.1 81.2
Trade freedom 70.4 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Pakistan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Pakistan UAE
2026 48.9 71.9
2025 49.1 71.6
2024 49.5 71.1
2023 49.4 70.9
2022 48.8 70.2
2021 51.7 76.9
2020 54.8 76.2
2019 55 77.6
2018 54.4 77.6
2017 52.8 76.9
2016 55.9 72.6
2015 55.6 72.4
2014 55.2 71.4
2013 55.1 71.1
2012 54.7 69.3
2011 55.1 67.8
2010 55.2 67.3
2009 57 64.7
2008 55.6 62.6
2007 57.2 62.6
2006 57.9 62.2
2005 53.3 65.2
2004 54.9 67.2
2003 55 73.4
2002 55.8 73.6
2001 56 74.9
2000 56.4 74.2
1999 53 71.5
1998 53.2 72.2
1997 56 71.9
1996 58.4 71.6
1995 57.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Pakistan is 48.9, ranking 168/197, 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

Pakistan UAE
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$358B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,100
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.4B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
63/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.58B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.66B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13.2%
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/pakistan/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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  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.