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

Updated on by Georank team

The Philippines has a GDP of $462B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 35/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Philippines has $261B in government debt (56.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Philippines vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Philippines
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Philippines UAE
2024 $461,617,509,782 $552,324,846,835
2023 $437,055,627,244 $522,622,191,967
2022 $404,353,369,605 $511,403,403,676
2021 $394,087,359,848 $422,441,388,700
2020 $361,751,145,452 $357,161,878,829
2019 $376,823,402,239 $433,926,208,305
2018 $346,841,896,587 $440,560,108,918
2017 $328,480,736,803 $403,365,010,211
2016 $318,627,003,017 $381,717,086,453
2015 $306,445,871,242 $381,973,042,886
2014 $297,483,555,338 $424,935,874,745
2013 $283,902,828,589 $409,632,675,289
2012 $261,920,540,963 $392,793,464,942
2011 $234,216,730,291 $368,881,143,635
2010 $208,368,893,151 $307,736,419,333
2009 $175,974,755,881 $253,547,358,747
2008 $181,624,626,327 $315,474,615,739
2007 $155,980,408,673 $257,916,133,424
2006 $127,652,926,368 $222,116,541,865
2005 $107,419,977,318 $180,617,467,965
2004 $95,001,999,685 $147,824,370,320
2003 $87,039,092,974 $124,346,358,067
2002 $84,307,345,888 $109,816,201,498
2001 $78,921,234,458 $103,311,640,572
2000 $83,669,788,377 $104,337,372,362
1999 $85,640,171,045 $84,445,473,111
1998 $74,492,416,330 $75,674,336,283
1997 $94,106,317,565 $78,839,008,445
1996 $94,648,084,429 $73,571,233,996
1995 $84,644,328,727 $65,743,666,576
1994 $73,159,336,915 $59,305,093,980
1993 $62,036,529,147 $55,625,170,253
1992 $60,422,328,242 $54,239,171,888
1991 $51,784,144,943 $51,552,165,622
1990 $50,508,286,642 $50,701,443,748
1989 $48,513,773,721 $41,464,995,914
1988 $43,152,128,959 $36,275,674,203
1987 $37,791,488,666 $36,384,908,744
1986 $33,987,207,295 $33,943,612,095
1985 $34,961,486,348 $40,603,650,232
1984 $35,730,185,634 $41,807,954,236
1983 $37,759,179,895 $42,803,323,345
1982 $42,206,011,275 $46,622,718,605
1981 $40,499,388,869 $49,333,424,135
1980 $36,848,080,899 $43,599,160,050
1979 $31,218,296,292 $31,225,659,621
1978 $25,762,224,563 $23,775,764,225
1977 $22,283,109,803 $24,871,775,165
1976 $19,381,055,197 $19,213,158,779
1975 $16,875,240,684 $14,720,728,249
1974 $15,607,882,555 $11,651,505,689
1973 $11,412,449,735 $4,231,243,616
1972 $9,067,815,521 $1,415,086,929
1971 $8,375,075,630 $939,893,600
1970 $7,559,115,517 $685,986,701
1969 $9,571,800,653 -
1968 $8,632,749,269 -
1967 $7,724,873,935 -
1966 $7,189,017,888 -
1965 $6,517,349,772 -
1964 $5,953,756,195 -
1963 $5,505,023,238 -
1962 $4,954,593,072 -
1961 $8,171,194,425 -
1960 $7,515,894,111 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Philippines vs United Arab Emirates by year

Philippines
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Philippines UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,985 $11,794 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $3,804 $10,986 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $3,548 $10,131 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $3,484 $8,858 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $3,228 $8,238 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $3,401 $8,924 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $3,169 $8,358 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $3,038 $7,774 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $2,985 $7,383 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $2,910 $6,894 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $2,867 $6,689 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $2,781 $6,373 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $2,615 $6,094 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $2,384 $5,705 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $2,163 $5,489 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,864 $5,157 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,959 $5,144 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $1,713 $4,923 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $1,426 $4,579 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $1,220 $4,289 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $1,100 $4,037 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $1,027 $3,761 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $1,015 $3,580 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $970 $3,469 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $1,051 $3,366 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $1,101 $3,229 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $983 $3,160 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $1,273 $3,221 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $1,311 $3,082 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,200 $2,926 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,060 $2,800 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $919 $2,684 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $917 $2,629 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $804 $2,621 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $804 $2,608 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $792 - $23,167 -
1988 $722 - $21,570 -
1987 $650 - $23,113 -
1986 $600 - $23,132 -
1985 $633 - $29,468 -
1984 $665 - $32,012 -
1983 $723 - $34,650 -
1982 $833 - $39,972 -
1981 $821 - $44,854 -
1980 $767 - $42,925 -
1979 $667 - $34,238 -
1978 $565 - $29,379 -
1977 $502 - $35,020 -
1976 $449 - $31,197 -
1975 $401 - $27,117 -
1974 $379 - $23,823 -
1973 $283.2 - $9,696 -
1972 $230.1 - $3,675 -
1971 $217.4 - $2,805 -
1970 $200.9 - $2,394 -
1969 $261.1 - - -
1968 $242.2 - - -
1967 $223.1 - - -
1966 $213.8 - - -
1965 $199.8 - - -
1964 $188.2 - - -
1963 $179.5 - - -
1962 $166.7 - - -
1961 $283.8 - - -
1960 $269.5 - - -

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

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

The Philippines' GDP per capita is $3,985, ranking 130/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Philippines ranks 127th at $11,794, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Philippines UAE
Gross domestic product
$462B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
35/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
5.69%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,985
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
130/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,794
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
127/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$261B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.6%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,257
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
117/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,407
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$252B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
15
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.6%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.21%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.75%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.41%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
117991570
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Philippines
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Philippines UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.9% 56.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 24.7% 56.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 25.9% 57.4% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 27.2% 57% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 25.9% 51.6% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 21.7% 37% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 20.9% 37.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 19.5% 38.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 19% 37.4% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 17.8% 39.7% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 16.8% 40.3% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 17.3% 43.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 17.7% 45.7% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 17.2% 45.4% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 18.3% 47.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 19.2% 49.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 17.9% 50% 22% 8.95%
2007 18.2% 50.2% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 18.3% 57.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 18.7% 64.7% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 19.4% 71.1% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 20.4% 71.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 20.6% 65.2% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 21% 59.5% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 20.8% 59.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 20.7% 54.2% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 20.3% 50.8% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 20.3% 56.9% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 19.6% 53.1% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 19.1% 60.8% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 19.7% 63.6% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 17.6% 73.9% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 18.4% 53.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 18% 55.6% 36% 4.97%
1990 18.8% 56.2% - -
1989 15.7% 55.2% - -
1988 15.9% 69% - -
1987 15.7% 79.2% - -
1986 13.5% 77.7% - -
1985 11.3% 53.1% - -
1984 10.1% 45.8% - -
1983 12.2% 43.1% - -
1982 12.8% 32.9% - -
1981 13.7% 27.6% - -
1980 13.4% 24.8% - -
1979 11.9% 22.5% - -
1978 13.3% 23.1% - -
1977 13.3% 19.8% - -
1976 13.8% 16.8% - -
1975 15.1% 13% - -
1974 10.7% 13.4% - -
1973 14% 11.5% - -
1972 13.4% 14.2% - -
1971 11.2% 14.8% - -
1970 10.4% 16.8% - -
1969 11.5% 16.4% - -
1968 11.2% 15.7% - -
1967 10.2% 15.4% - -
1966 9.77% 14.4% - -
1965 9.48% 15% - -
1964 9.66% 14.2% - -
1963 10.4% 14.1% - -
1962 10.8% 15.9% - -
1961 9.6% 16.5% - -
1960 10.1% 16.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Philippines' government spending was $115B, accounting for 24.9% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.6% in the Philippines and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 93/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Philippines

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Philippines UAE
2024 -3.78% 6.41%
2023 -4.38% 5.82%
2022 -5.48% 9.8%
2021 -6.23% 3.96%
2020 -5.55% -2.42%
2019 -1.5% 2.5%
2018 -1.48% 3.65%
2017 -0.75% -0.16%
2016 -0.74% -2.95%
2015 0.14% -6.35%
2014 1.32% 1.74%
2013 0.37% 7.99%
2012 -0.22% 8.59%
2011 -0.38% 5.05%
2010 -2.25% 0.52%
2009 -2.57% -6.13%
2008 0.02% 17.6%
2007 -0.28% 17.1%
2006 -0.05% 20.2%
2005 -1.62% 16%
2004 -2.81% 6.4%
2003 -3.49% 2.35%
2002 -3.71% -1.24%
2001 -3.49% 1.21%
2000 -3.27% 10.7%
1999 -2.29% 1.31%
1998 -1.31% 1%
1997 0.37% 6.71%
1996 0.54% 0.92%
1995 -0.02% 3.58%
1994 -0.44% -1.78%
1993 0.63% -2.89%
1992 -0.43% 3.34%
1991 -0.26% 3.89%
1990 -1.52% -
1989 -1.64% -
1988 -2.71% -
1987 -1.06% -
1986 -0.55% -
1985 0.71% -
1984 0.64% -
1983 0.1% -
1982 -0.88% -
1981 -1.09% -
1980 0.56% -
1979 1.54% -
1978 0.05% -
1977 -0.42% -
1976 -0.55% -
1975 0.13% -
1974 5.94% -
1973 2.49% -
1972 3.39% -
1971 -0.96% -
1970 -0.31% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.33% -
1967 -1.35% -
1966 -0.74% -
1965 -1.53% -
1964 -0.99% -
1963 -0.68% -
1962 -0.43% -
1961 -0.29% -
1960 -1.06% -
1959 -0.15% -
1958 -0.21% -
1957 -0.56% -
1956 -0.77% -
1955 -1.3% -
1954 -0.79% -
1953 -0.88% -
1952 0.49% -
1951 1.5% -
1950 -0.19% -
1949 -2.33% -
1948 -0.65% -
1947 0.05% -
1946 -2.54% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Philippines' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $17.5B, equivalent to 3.78% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Philippines recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Philippines posted an annual deficit equal to 1.63% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Philippines

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Philippines UAE
2024 3.21% 1.7%
2023 5.98% 1.6%
2022 5.82% 4.8%
2021 3.93% -0.1%
2020 2.39% -2.1%
2019 2.39% -1.9%
2018 5.31% 3.1%
2017 2.85% 2%
2016 1.25% 1.6%
2015 0.67% 4.1%
2014 3.6% 2.3%
2013 2.58% 1.1%
2012 3.03% 0.7%
2011 4.72% 0.9%
2010 3.79% 0.9%
2009 4.22% -4.7%
2008 8.26% 12.3%
2007 2.9% 11.1%
2006 5.49% 9.3%
2005 6.52% 6.2%
2004 4.83% 5%
2003 2.29% 3.1%
2002 2.72% 2.9%
2001 5.35% 2.8%
2000 3.98% 1.3%
1999 5.94% 2.1%
1998 9.23% 2%
1997 5.59% 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/philippines/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Philippines has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.24%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.21% in the Philippines and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Philippines
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $190M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $84.3M
Raw materials & minerals $42.4M
Raw agricultural goods $30.9M
Chemicals & pharma $14.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.1M
Metals $6.77M
Animal & marine products $4.37M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.46M
Wood & paper products $1.3M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $110M
Textiles & consumer goods $76.2M
Metals $42M
Chemicals & pharma $24.9M
Raw materials & minerals $24.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23M
Precious metals & jewellery $13.5M
Wood & paper products $4.03M
Raw agricultural goods $2.48M
Miscellaneous $642K

Balance of trade

Philippines UAE
Current account balance
-$18.3B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
183/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.96%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$124B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$55.1B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$37.6B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$51.6B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.8%
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.

Philippines UAE
Economic freedom 62.9 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 85/197 29/197
Property rights 45.8 62.9
Government integrity 35.4 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.8 34.4
Tax burden 78.3 99.9
Government spending 81 85.1
Fiscal health 60.5 97.6
Business freedom 69.2 84.5
Labor freedom 57.8 63.2
Monetary freedom 72.1 81.2
Trade freedom 83 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Philippines
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Philippines UAE
2026 62.9 71.9
2025 60.6 71.6
2024 59 71.1
2023 59.3 70.9
2022 61.1 70.2
2021 64.1 76.9
2020 64.5 76.2
2019 63.8 77.6
2018 65 77.6
2017 65.6 76.9
2016 63.1 72.6
2015 62.2 72.4
2014 60.1 71.4
2013 58.2 71.1
2012 57.1 69.3
2011 56.2 67.8
2010 56.3 67.3
2009 56.8 64.7
2008 56 62.6
2007 56 62.6
2006 56.3 62.2
2005 54.7 65.2
2004 59.1 67.2
2003 61.3 73.4
2002 60.7 73.6
2001 60.9 74.9
2000 62.5 74.2
1999 61.9 71.5
1998 62.8 72.2
1997 62.2 71.9
1996 60.2 71.6
1995 55 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Philippines is 62.9, ranking 85/197, 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

Philippines UAE
Services, % of GDP
63.2%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.7%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.08%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$518B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,330
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$106B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
27/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$6.57B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$9.44B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.87B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
15.5%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.7%
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/philippines/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 (1946–1998, 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.