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Economy of Papua New Guinea vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $32.5B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 111/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.9B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Papua New Guinea vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea UAE
2025 $32,498,658,654 -
2024 $30,803,971,189 $552,324,919,096
2023 $30,816,328,066 $522,622,268,401
2022 $31,653,230,962 $511,403,404,642
2021 $26,113,409,478 $422,441,282,436
2020 $23,848,447,850 $357,161,776,271
2019 $24,750,626,030 $433,926,218,686
2018 $24,109,780,708 $440,560,003,161
2017 $22,742,699,138 $403,365,056,079
2016 $20,758,876,953 $381,717,208,621
2015 $21,723,437,010 $381,973,135,513
2014 $23,210,823,987 $424,935,834,104
2013 $21,261,338,065 $409,632,574,703
2012 $21,295,168,666 $392,793,559,051
2011 $17,985,138,066 $368,881,033,963
2010 $14,250,786,675 $307,736,348,527
2009 $11,619,456,449 $253,547,358,747
2008 $11,670,892,801 $315,474,615,741
2007 $9,545,028,944 $257,916,148,767
2006 $8,354,911,041 $222,116,532,963
2005 $4,865,892,972 $180,617,467,954
2004 $3,927,157,867 $147,824,249,958
2003 $3,536,411,824 $124,346,476,180
2002 $2,999,511,040 $109,816,091,079
2001 $3,081,024,212 $103,311,631,797
2000 $3,521,339,699 $104,337,463,730
1999 $3,477,038,204 $84,445,399,335
1998 $3,789,443,015 $75,674,384,205
1997 $4,936,615,299 $78,838,886,862
1996 $5,155,311,077 $73,571,217,377
1995 $4,636,057,476 $65,743,604,966
1994 $5,502,786,070 $59,305,111,228
1993 $4,974,550,286 $55,625,269,485
1992 $4,377,980,510 $54,239,188,746
1991 $3,787,394,958 $51,552,058,250
1990 $3,219,729,083 $50,701,374,187
1989 $3,546,472,566 $41,464,966,302
1988 $3,656,177,881 $36,275,613,877
1987 $3,143,851,794 $36,384,802,310
1986 $2,647,995,602 $33,943,568,481
1985 $2,423,339,172 $40,603,631,079
1984 $2,552,662,617 $41,807,931,453
1983 $2,562,351,551 $42,803,373,390
1982 $2,368,719,683 $46,622,715,281
1981 $2,498,190,847 $49,333,471,895
1980 $2,545,808,456 $43,599,134,193
1979 $2,293,760,511 $31,225,557,022
1978 $1,947,878,831 $23,775,718,541
1977 $1,640,746,619 $24,871,660,292
1976 $1,511,843,235 $19,213,212,475
1975 $1,356,603,608 $14,720,729,969
1974 $1,467,417,672 $11,651,505,689
1973 $1,299,079,410 $4,231,243,616
1972 $858,761,926 $1,415,086,929
1971 $717,750,278 $939,893,600
1970 $645,568,215 $685,986,701
1969 $551,263,864 -
1968 $485,184,190 -
1967 $441,728,183 -
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs United Arab Emirates by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,020 - - -
2024 $2,912 $4,875 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $744 $2,322 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $621 $2,187 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $577 $2,142 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $506 $2,125 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $538 $2,168 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $636 $2,196 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $650 $2,280 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $733 $2,285 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $990 $2,432 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $998 $2,436 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $942 $1,869 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $826 $1,703 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $934 - $23,167 -
1988 $985 - $21,570 -
1987 $865 - $23,113 -
1986 $745 - $23,132 -
1985 $697 - $29,468 -
1984 $750 - $32,012 -
1983 $769 - $34,650 -
1982 $726 - $39,972 -
1981 $781 - $44,855 -
1980 $813 - $42,925 -
1979 $748 - $34,238 -
1978 $648 - $29,379 -
1977 $558 - $35,020 -
1976 $525 - $31,197 -
1975 $482 - $27,117 -
1974 $533 - $23,823 -
1973 $483 - $9,696 -
1972 $327 - $3,675 -
1971 $279.7 - $2,805 -
1970 $257.6 - $2,394 -
1969 $225.3 - - -
1968 $202.9 - - -
1967 $189 - - -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,020, ranking 147/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea UAE
Gross domestic product
$32.5B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
111/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
5.64%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,020
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
147/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,575
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,615
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.42%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
1.88%
2024
Population
11045681
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.7% 52.1% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 20.9% 53.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 22% 52.6% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 35% 21.1%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 18% 22.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 19.4% 26% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 20% 45.7% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 17.1% 36.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 19.3% 40.1% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 23.5% 30% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 22.8% 30.4% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 22.4% - 36% 4.97%
1990 24.5% - - -

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/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.4B, accounting for 19.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 99/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea UAE
2025 -2.36% 5.15%
2024 -3.31% 6.41%
2023 -4.34% 5.82%
2022 -5.25% 9.8%
2021 -6.84% 3.96%
2020 -8.85% -2.42%
2019 -4.98% 2.5%
2018 -2.58% 3.65%
2017 -2.47% -0.16%
2016 -4.75% -2.95%
2015 -4.55% -6.35%
2014 -6.27% 1.74%
2013 -6.87% 7.99%
2012 -1.19% 8.59%
2011 2.22% 5.05%
2010 3.06% 0.52%
2009 -5.48% -6.13%
2008 2.73% 17.6%
2007 6.9% 17.1%
2006 5.34% 20.2%
2005 2.85% 16%
2004 2.03% 6.4%
2003 0.19% 2.35%
2002 -1.75% -1.24%
2001 -1.33% 1.21%
2000 0.3% 10.7%
1999 -1.94% 1.31%
1998 -0.16% 1%
1997 0.67% 6.71%
1996 2.05% 0.92%
1995 1.08% 3.58%
1994 -1.01% -1.78%
1993 -4.9% -2.89%
1992 -4.33% 3.34%
1991 -0.62% 3.89%
1990 -2.04% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.02B, 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, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.6% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea UAE
2025 4.42% 1.3%
2024 0.6% 1.7%
2023 2.3% 1.6%
2022 5.25% 4.8%
2021 4.48% -0.1%
2020 4.87% -2.1%
2019 3.93% -1.9%
2018 4.37% 3.1%
2017 5.42% 2%
2016 6.67% 1.6%
2015 6% 4.1%
2014 5.22% 2.3%
2013 4.96% 1.1%
2012 4.54% 0.7%
2011 4.44% 0.9%
2010 6.01% 0.9%
2009 6.92% -4.7%
2008 10.8% 12.3%
2007 0.91% 11.1%
2006 2.37% 9.3%
2005 1.78% 6.2%
2004 2.16% 5%
2003 14.7% 3.1%
2002 11.8% 2.9%
2001 9.3% 2.8%
2000 15.6% 1.3%
1999 14.9% 2.1%
1998 13.6% 2%
1997 3.96% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 4.42% in Papua New Guinea and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.2M
Raw agricultural goods $616K
Textiles & consumer goods $217K
Metals $161K
Chemicals & pharma $28K
Miscellaneous $19K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
Raw materials & minerals $14K
Wood & paper products $12K
Animal & marine products $2K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6.95M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.07M
Raw materials & minerals $1.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $988K
Chemicals & pharma $702K
Metals $660K
Wood & paper products $101K
Precious metals & jewellery $100K
Raw agricultural goods $61K
Miscellaneous $48K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea UAE
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
32/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15.5%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Papua New Guinea UAE
Economic freedom 54.3 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 29/197
Property rights 45 62.9
Government integrity 30.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 34.4
Tax burden 70.9 99.9
Government spending 86.1 85.1
Fiscal health 65.3 97.6
Business freedom 34.2 84.5
Labor freedom 65.1 63.2
Monetary freedom 77.4 81.2
Trade freedom 80.2 78.6
Investment freedom 25 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea UAE
2026 54.3 71.9
2025 52.5 71.6
2024 49.4 71.1
2023 51.7 70.9
2022 54.6 70.2
2021 58.9 76.9
2020 58.4 76.2
2019 58.4 77.6
2018 55.7 77.6
2017 50.9 76.9
2016 53.2 72.6
2015 53.1 72.4
2014 53.9 71.4
2013 53.6 71.1
2012 53.8 69.3
2011 52.6 67.8
2010 53.5 67.3
2009 54.8 64.7
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.6
2006 - 62.2
2005 - 65.2
2004 - 67.2
2003 - 73.4
2002 - 73.6
2001 57.2 74.9
2000 55.8 74.2
1999 56.3 71.5
1998 55.2 72.2
1997 56.7 71.9
1996 58.6 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, 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

Papua New Guinea UAE
Services, % of GDP
42%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.2B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,840
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.71B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
114/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
20.4%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
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/papua-new-guinea/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.

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.