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

Updated on by Georank

Paraguay has a GDP of $49.3B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 97/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Paraguay has $18.8B in government debt (38.1% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Paraguay vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Paraguay
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Paraguay UAE
2025 $49,278,227,554 -
2024 $44,738,819,362 $552,324,919,096
2023 $43,140,465,596 $522,622,268,401
2022 $41,841,201,627 $511,403,404,642
2021 $39,937,357,256 $422,441,282,436
2020 $35,432,178,068 $357,161,776,271
2019 $37,925,338,329 $433,926,218,686
2018 $40,225,448,341 $440,560,003,161
2017 $38,997,129,474 $403,365,056,079
2016 $36,089,700,223 $381,717,208,621
2015 $36,211,447,840 $381,973,135,513
2014 $40,377,929,296 $424,935,834,104
2013 $38,501,122,141 $409,632,574,703
2012 $33,271,921,136 $392,793,559,051
2011 $33,756,238,767 $368,881,033,963
2010 $27,260,886,405 $307,736,348,527
2009 $22,355,151,162 $253,547,358,747
2008 $24,615,267,664 $315,474,615,741
2007 $17,856,393,235 $257,916,148,767
2006 $13,429,430,050 $222,116,532,963
2005 $10,737,500,188 $180,617,467,954
2004 $9,624,440,836 $147,824,249,958
2003 $7,691,367,471 $124,346,476,180
2002 $7,196,260,657 $109,816,091,079
2001 $8,495,806,432 $103,311,631,797
2000 $8,855,705,140 $104,337,463,730
1999 $8,837,070,236 $84,445,399,335
1998 $9,260,481,572 $75,674,384,205
1997 $9,965,225,678 $78,838,886,862
1996 $9,788,391,781 $73,571,217,377
1995 $9,062,131,475 $65,743,604,966
1994 $7,870,982,005 $59,305,111,228
1993 $7,249,533,620 $55,625,269,485
1992 $7,157,424,031 $54,239,188,746
1991 $6,984,367,763 $51,552,058,250
1990 $5,812,114,523 $50,701,374,187
1989 $4,757,732,200 $41,464,966,302
1988 $4,255,683,528 $36,275,613,877
1987 $3,971,044,724 $36,384,802,310
1986 $3,723,993,943 $33,943,568,481
1985 $3,282,449,236 $40,603,631,079
1984 $4,502,462,807 $41,807,931,453
1983 $5,673,248,726 $42,803,373,390
1982 $5,419,411,765 $46,622,715,281
1981 $5,624,515,873 $49,333,471,895
1980 $4,448,087,302 $43,599,134,193
1979 $3,416,777,778 $31,225,557,022
1978 $2,559,857,143 $23,775,718,541
1977 $2,092,158,730 $24,871,660,292
1976 $1,698,960,317 $19,213,212,475
1975 $1,511,420,635 $14,720,729,969
1974 $1,333,475,397 $11,651,505,689
1973 $995,531,746 $4,231,243,616
1972 $769,039,683 $1,415,086,929
1971 $664,571,429 $939,893,600
1970 $594,611,111 $685,986,701
1969 $556,293,651 -
1968 $517,650,794 -
1967 $492,674,603 -
1966 $465,888,889 -
1965 $443,587,302 -
1964 $408,349,206 -
1963 $383,904,762 -
1962 $360,698,413 -
1961 $322,053,713 -
1960 $288,884,368 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Paraguay vs United Arab Emirates by year

Paraguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Paraguay UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,027 - - -
2024 $6,457 $18,524 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $6,303 $17,564 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $6,189 $16,347 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $5,975 $15,406 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $5,365 $14,309 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $5,821 $14,150 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $6,258 $14,139 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $6,152 $13,977 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $5,775 $13,329 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $5,879 $12,679 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $6,652 $12,607 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $6,436 $12,137 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $5,642 $10,954 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $5,805 $11,442 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $4,751 $10,893 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $3,942 $9,802 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $4,385 $9,867 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $3,212 $9,179 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $2,439 $8,561 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $1,971 $8,007 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $1,786 $7,686 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,444 $7,276 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,368 $6,924 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $1,638 $6,916 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,736 $6,937 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,766 $7,080 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $1,890 $7,227 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,079 $7,299 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,088 $7,040 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,979 $6,966 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,760 $6,542 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,662 $6,234 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,683 $5,952 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,685 $5,873 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $1,440 $5,637 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,211 - $23,167 -
1988 $1,114 - $21,570 -
1987 $1,069 - $23,113 -
1986 $1,031 - $23,132 -
1985 $935 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,319 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,710 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,680 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,793 - $44,855 -
1980 $1,457 - $42,925 -
1979 $1,149 - $34,238 -
1978 $883 - $29,379 -
1977 $740 - $35,020 -
1976 $616 - $31,197 -
1975 $562 - $27,117 -
1974 $508 - $23,823 -
1973 $389 - $9,696 -
1972 $308 - $3,675 -
1971 $272.1 - $2,805 -
1970 $249 - $2,394 -
1969 $238.2 - - -
1968 $226.8 - - -
1967 $220.9 - - -
1966 $213.9 - - -
1965 $208.7 - - -
1964 $197 - - -
1963 $189.9 - - -
1962 $182.8 - - -
1961 $167.1 - - -
1960 $153.4 - - -

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

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

Paraguay's GDP per capita is $7,027, ranking 105/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Paraguay UAE
Gross domestic product
$49.3B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
97/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
6.64%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,027
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
105/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$18,524
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
102/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$18.8B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,679
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,874
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$313M
1999
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
35%
2024
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2024
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.6%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.04%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2026
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.63%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
7138671
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Paraguay
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Paraguay UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.6% 38.1% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 20.9% 44.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 21.5% 41% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 20.2% 40.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 20.5% 37.5% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 22.6% 36.9% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 20.1% 25.8% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 18.5% 22.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 18.1% 19.8% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 17.7% 19.4% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 18% 18.6% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 17.1% 15.6% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 17.1% 13.5% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 17.6% 12.3% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 14.7% 11.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 13.3% 13% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 14.3% 14.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 11.8% 16% 22% 8.95%
2007 13.1% 16.8% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 14.1% 21% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 14% 28.3% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 14% 36% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 14.6% 37.5% 20% 3.33%
2002 17.6% 50.5% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 19% 37.1% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 19.6% 33.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 19.2% 32% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 18% 22.1% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 18.1% 18% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 16.9% 16.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 15.7% 17.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 14.5% 18.7% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 12.9% 26.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 13% 34.4% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 11.4% 49.4% 36% 4.97%
1990 10.5% 67% - -
1989 11.8% 52.9% - -
1988 9.75% 58.9% - -
1987 10.1% 68.7% - -
1986 9.25% 57.1% - -
1985 11.4% 54.7% - -
1984 13% 31% - -
1983 13% 22.6% - -
1982 13.2% 21.3% - -
1981 13.3% 17.4% - -
1980 11.6% 17.4% - -
1979 11.7% 19.7% - -
1978 11.9% 20.9% - -
1977 11.2% 18.8% - -
1976 9.8% 14.1% - -
1975 10.5% 12.6% - -
1974 9.44% 12.5% - -
1973 11.2% 15.4% - -
1972 12.5% 18.2% - -
1971 12.3% 18.9% - -
1970 13.3% 19.2% - -
1969 14% - - -
1968 13.5% - - -
1967 12.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Paraguay's government spending was $9.66B, accounting for 19.6% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.1% in Paraguay and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 138/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Paraguay

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Paraguay UAE
2025 -1.69% 5.15%
2024 -2.1% 6.41%
2023 -3.81% 5.82%
2022 -2.65% 9.8%
2021 -3.39% 3.96%
2020 -5.72% -2.42%
2019 -2.44% 2.5%
2018 -1.01% 3.65%
2017 -0.44% -0.16%
2016 -0.37% -2.95%
2015 -0.44% -6.35%
2014 -0.27% 1.74%
2013 -1.16% 7.99%
2012 -0.58% 8.59%
2011 1.29% 5.05%
2010 1.54% 0.52%
2009 0.59% -6.13%
2008 2.29% 17.6%
2007 1.27% 17.1%
2006 0.91% 20.2%
2005 0.74% 16%
2004 1.33% 6.4%
2003 -0.07% 2.35%
2002 -1.89% -1.24%
2001 0.07% 1.21%
2000 -0.55% 10.7%
1999 2.67% 1.31%
1998 4.28% 1%
1997 3% 6.71%
1996 2.43% 0.92%
1995 2.78% 3.58%
1994 4.59% -1.78%
1993 4.27% -2.89%
1992 3.1% 3.34%
1991 3.41% 3.89%
1990 7.56% -
1989 5.48% -
1988 3.01% -
1987 2.68% -
1986 3.08% -
1985 0.85% -
1984 -0.42% -
1983 0.27% -
1982 1.52% -
1981 0.15% -
1980 3.4% -
1979 4.13% -
1978 -3.42% -
1977 -0.19% -
1976 -0.06% -
1975 -1.24% -
1974 1.67% -
1973 -0.91% -
1972 -2.51% -
1971 -1.25% -
1970 -1.26% -
1969 -1.62% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -1.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Paraguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $942M, equivalent to 2.1% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Paraguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Paraguay posted an annual surplus equal to 0.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Paraguay

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Paraguay UAE
2025 4.04% 1.3%
2024 3.84% 1.7%
2023 4.63% 1.6%
2022 9.77% 4.8%
2021 4.79% -0.1%
2020 1.77% -2.1%
2019 2.76% -1.9%
2018 3.98% 3.1%
2017 3.6% 2%
2016 4.09% 1.6%
2015 3.13% 4.1%
2014 5.03% 2.3%
2013 2.68% 1.1%
2012 3.68% 0.7%
2011 8.25% 0.9%
2010 4.65% 0.9%
2009 2.59% -4.7%
2008 10.2% 12.3%
2007 8.13% 11.1%
2006 9.59% 9.3%
2005 6.81% 6.2%
2004 4.32% 5%
2003 14.2% 3.1%
2002 10.5% 2.9%
2001 7.27% 2.8%
2000 8.98% 1.3%
1999 6.75% 2.1%
1998 11.6% 2%
1997 6.95% 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/paraguay/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Paraguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 4.04% in Paraguay and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Paraguay
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.9M
Raw agricultural goods $9.99M
Chemicals & pharma $3.53M
Animal & marine products $1.93M
Machinery & equipment $657K
Wood & paper products $214K
Textiles & consumer goods $127K
Metals $109K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
UAE
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $27.8M
Metals $3.32M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.59M
Machinery & equipment $2M
Raw materials & minerals $1.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $812K
Raw agricultural goods $34K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Paraguay UAE
Current account balance
-$1.57B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
131/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.18%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$15.4B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$2.75B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$3.72B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.2%
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.

Paraguay UAE
Economic freedom 66.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 61/197 29/197
Property rights 44.2 62.9
Government integrity 27.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.4 34.4
Tax burden 95.9 99.9
Government spending 86.9 85.1
Fiscal health 83 97.6
Business freedom 72 84.5
Labor freedom 44.1 63.2
Monetary freedom 76.5 81.2
Trade freedom 78.4 78.6
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 70 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Paraguay
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Paraguay UAE
2026 66.4 71.9
2025 65.2 71.6
2024 60.1 71.1
2023 61 70.9
2022 62.9 70.2
2021 62.6 76.9
2020 63 76.2
2019 61.8 77.6
2018 62.1 77.6
2017 62.4 76.9
2016 61.5 72.6
2015 61.1 72.4
2014 62 71.4
2013 61.1 71.1
2012 61.8 69.3
2011 62.3 67.8
2010 61.3 67.3
2009 61 64.7
2008 60 62.6
2007 58.3 62.6
2006 55.6 62.2
2005 53.4 65.2
2004 56.7 67.2
2003 58.2 73.4
2002 59.6 73.6
2001 60.3 74.9
2000 64 74.2
1999 63.7 71.5
1998 65.2 72.2
1997 67.3 71.9
1996 67.1 71.6
1995 65.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Paraguay is 66.4, ranking 61/197, 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

Paraguay UAE
Services, % of GDP
48.1%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
32.3%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.6%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$47.4B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,390
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.57B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$945M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$166M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.58%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2024
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
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/paraguay/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.