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

Updated on by Georank

Qatar has a GDP of $216B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 56/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $89.2B in government debt (41.4% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Qatar vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Qatar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar UAE
2025 $215,559,615,385 -
2024 $216,294,505,495 $552,324,919,096
2023 $213,002,809,341 $522,622,268,401
2022 $235,709,325,714 $511,403,404,642
2021 $179,732,009,560 $422,441,282,436
2020 $144,411,363,352 $357,161,776,271
2019 $176,371,267,692 $433,926,218,686
2018 $183,334,953,819 $440,560,003,161
2017 $161,099,122,225 $403,365,056,079
2016 $151,732,181,868 $381,717,208,621
2015 $161,739,955,577 $381,973,135,513
2014 $206,224,598,571 $424,935,834,104
2013 $198,727,642,967 $409,632,574,703
2012 $186,833,502,363 $392,793,559,051
2011 $167,775,274,725 $368,881,033,963
2010 $125,122,252,747 $307,736,348,527
2009 $97,798,351,648 $253,547,358,747
2008 $115,269,780,220 $315,474,615,741
2007 $79,711,813,187 $257,916,148,767
2006 $60,882,142,857 $222,116,532,963
2005 $44,530,494,505 $180,617,467,954
2004 $31,734,065,934 $147,824,249,958
2003 $23,533,791,209 $124,346,476,180
2002 $19,363,736,264 $109,816,091,079
2001 $17,538,461,538 $103,311,631,797
2000 $17,759,890,110 $104,337,463,730
1999 $12,393,131,868 $84,445,399,335
1998 $10,255,494,505 $75,674,384,205
1997 $11,297,802,198 $78,838,886,862
1996 $9,059,340,659 $73,571,217,377
1995 $8,137,912,088 $65,743,604,966
1994 $7,374,450,549 $59,305,111,228
1993 $7,156,593,407 $55,625,269,485
1992 $7,646,153,846 $54,239,188,746
1991 $6,883,516,484 $51,552,058,250
1990 $7,360,439,560 $50,701,374,187
1989 $6,487,912,088 $41,464,966,302
1988 $6,038,186,813 $36,275,613,877
1987 $5,446,428,571 $36,384,802,310
1986 $5,053,021,978 $33,943,568,481
1985 $6,153,296,703 $40,603,631,079
1984 $6,870,329,670 $41,807,931,453
1983 $6,484,890,110 $42,803,373,390
1982 $7,611,263,736 $46,622,715,281
1981 $8,672,527,473 $49,333,471,895
1980 $7,837,915,956 $43,599,134,193
1979 $5,632,962,997 $31,225,557,022
1978 $4,052,000,413 $23,775,718,541
1977 $3,617,564,638 $24,871,660,292
1976 $3,284,273,987 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,512,773,166 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,401,403,227 $11,651,505,689
1973 $793,885,560 $4,231,243,616
1972 $510,262,500 $1,415,086,929
1971 $387,703,106 $939,893,600
1970 $301,791,302 $685,986,701

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs United Arab Emirates by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $72,525 - - -
2024 $75,685 $126,046 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $80,196 $129,368 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $77,387 $151,646 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $15,243 - $23,167 -
1988 $14,682 - $21,570 -
1987 $13,719 - $23,113 -
1986 $13,213 - $23,132 -
1985 $16,815 - $29,468 -
1984 $19,749 - $32,012 -
1983 $19,669 - $34,650 -
1982 $24,431 - $39,972 -
1981 $29,543 - $44,855 -
1980 $28,407 - $42,925 -
1979 $21,777 - $34,238 -
1978 $16,757 - $29,379 -
1977 $16,058 - $35,020 -
1976 $15,710 - $31,197 -
1975 $13,014 - $27,117 -
1974 $13,540 - $23,823 -
1973 $4,905 - $9,696 -
1972 $3,483 - $3,675 -
1971 $2,952 - $2,805 -
1970 $2,594 - $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $72,525, ranking 13/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Qatar UAE
Gross domestic product
$216B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2.9%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$72,525
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
13/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$89.2B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.4%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$30,009
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
24/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$37,042
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$177B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires
30,000
2026
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
2
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.1%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
3058826
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27.1% 41.4% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 26% 41.3% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 26.7% 42.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 31% 32.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 32% 30.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 36.4% 36% 35% 21.1%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 22% 8.95%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 29% 19.1% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 20% 3.33%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 36% 4.97%
1990 50% 12.6% - -

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/qatar/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Qatar's government spending was $58.4B, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.4% in Qatar and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 127/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar UAE
2025 -1% 5.15%
2024 0.71% 6.41%
2023 5.51% 5.82%
2022 10.4% 9.8%
2021 0.24% 3.96%
2020 -2.13% -2.42%
2019 1% 2.5%
2018 2.26% 3.65%
2017 -6.82% -0.16%
2016 -9.2% -2.95%
2015 18.4% -6.35%
2014 13.4% 1.74%
2013 19.3% 7.99%
2012 8.55% 8.59%
2011 5.24% 5.05%
2010 4.6% 0.52%
2009 14.1% -6.13%
2008 9.49% 17.6%
2007 10.3% 17.1%
2006 8.39% 20.2%
2005 9.8% 16%
2004 17.7% 6.4%
2003 6.71% 2.35%
2002 7.89% -1.24%
2001 4.48% 1.21%
2000 4.62% 10.7%
1999 -4.35% 1.31%
1998 -7% 1%
1997 -9.4% 6.71%
1996 -8.73% 0.92%
1995 -5.78% 3.58%
1994 -11.8% -1.78%
1993 -9.53% -2.89%
1992 -2.74% 3.34%
1991 -2.57% 3.89%
1990 3.23% -

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

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

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53B, equivalent to 0.71% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar UAE
2025 0.6% 1.3%
2024 1.2% 1.7%
2023 3.1% 1.6%
2022 5% 4.8%
2021 2.3% -0.1%
2020 -2.5% -2.1%
2019 -0.9% -1.9%
2018 0.1% 3.1%
2017 0.6% 2%
2016 2.7% 1.6%
2015 0.9% 4.1%
2014 4.2% 2.3%
2013 3.1% 1.1%
2012 1.8% 0.7%
2011 2% 0.9%
2010 -2.4% 0.9%
2009 -4.9% -4.7%
2008 15.1% 12.3%
2007 13.7% 11.1%
2006 11.7% 9.3%
2005 9% 6.2%
2004 6.8% 5%
2003 2.3% 3.1%
2002 0.2% 2.9%
2001 1.7% 2.8%
2000 1.6% 1.3%
1999 2.2% 2.1%
1998 2.9% 2%
1997 2.7% 3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.99%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 0.6% in Qatar and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.89B
Machinery & equipment $1.29B
Metals $345M
Chemicals & pharma $296M
Textiles & consumer goods $101M
Precious metals & jewellery $49.1M
Animal & marine products $20.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.69M
Wood & paper products $5.35M
Miscellaneous $4.82M
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.98B
Precious metals & jewellery $1.91B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.03B
Chemicals & pharma $994M
Metals $741M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $316M
Raw materials & minerals $217M
Raw agricultural goods $193M
Wood & paper products $123M
Animal & marine products $84.7M

Balance of trade

Qatar UAE
Current account balance
$31.9B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
17/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$34.3B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$90B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$31.3B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$24.4B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar UAE
Economic freedom 70.2 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 29/197
Property rights 66.2 62.9
Government integrity 53.5 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 34.4
Tax burden 99.9 99.9
Government spending 79.9 85.1
Fiscal health 96.6 97.6
Business freedom 68 84.5
Labor freedom 58.5 63.2
Monetary freedom 76 81.2
Trade freedom 81.8 78.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar UAE
2026 70.2 71.9
2025 70.2 71.6
2024 68.8 71.1
2023 68.6 70.9
2022 67.7 70.2
2021 72 76.9
2020 72.3 76.2
2019 72.6 77.6
2018 72.6 77.6
2017 73.1 76.9
2016 70.7 72.6
2015 70.8 72.4
2014 71.2 71.4
2013 71.3 71.1
2012 71.3 69.3
2011 70.5 67.8
2010 69 67.3
2009 65.8 64.7
2008 62.2 62.6
2007 62.9 62.6
2006 62.4 62.2
2005 63.5 65.2
2004 66.5 67.2
2003 65.9 73.4
2002 61.9 73.6
2001 60 74.9
2000 62 74.2
1999 62 71.5
1998 - 72.2
1997 - 71.9
1996 - 71.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, 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

Qatar UAE
Services, % of GDP
47%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
57%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.31%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$126,290
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$55.8B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
45/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$311M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, 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 (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.