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

Updated on by Georank

The Seychelles has a GDP of $2.39B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 177/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Seychelles has $1.23B in government debt (51.5% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Seychelles vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Seychelles
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Seychelles UAE
2025 $2,387,022,853 -
2024 $2,228,608,684 $552,324,919,096
2023 $2,171,547,935 $522,622,268,401
2022 $1,999,888,599 $511,403,404,642
2021 $1,487,173,795 $422,441,282,436
2020 $1,382,551,752 $357,161,776,271
2019 $1,868,690,097 $433,926,218,686
2018 $1,784,313,927 $440,560,003,161
2017 $1,675,370,641 $403,365,056,079
2016 $1,568,513,348 $381,717,208,621
2015 $1,432,403,352 $381,973,135,513
2014 $1,387,577,870 $424,935,834,104
2013 $1,333,160,407 $409,632,574,703
2012 $1,089,407,839 $392,793,559,051
2011 $1,058,918,707 $368,881,033,963
2010 $981,616,542 $307,736,348,527
2009 $850,901,620 $253,547,358,747
2008 $979,597,394 $315,474,615,741
2007 $1,077,308,814 $257,916,148,767
2006 $1,081,441,283 $222,116,532,963
2005 $977,899,382 $180,617,467,954
2004 $893,012,218 $147,824,249,958
2003 $750,847,230 $124,346,476,180
2002 $742,134,838 $109,816,091,079
2001 $662,064,156 $103,311,631,797
2000 $654,212,394 $104,337,463,730
1999 $662,838,615 $84,445,399,335
1998 $647,287,376 $75,674,384,205
1997 $598,966,982 $78,838,886,862
1996 $535,250,347 $73,571,217,377
1995 $540,733,048 $65,743,604,966
1994 $517,570,058 $59,305,111,228
1993 $504,230,621 $55,625,269,485
1992 $461,409,399 $54,239,188,746
1991 $398,307,170 $51,552,058,250
1990 $392,163,561 $50,701,374,187
1989 $324,333,367 $41,464,966,302
1988 $301,985,618 $36,275,613,877
1987 $265,212,957 $36,384,802,310
1986 $221,147,061 $33,943,568,481
1985 $179,691,483 $40,603,631,079
1984 $160,992,921 $41,807,931,453
1983 $156,098,237 $42,803,373,390
1982 $157,211,790 $46,622,715,281
1981 $163,750,728 $49,333,471,895
1980 $156,783,830 $43,599,134,193
1979 $127,261,099 $31,225,557,022
1978 $85,552,366 $23,775,718,541
1977 $64,526,401 $24,871,660,292
1976 $49,278,982 $19,213,212,475
1975 $47,803,146 $14,720,729,969
1974 $43,134,496 $11,651,505,689
1973 $36,896,280 $4,231,243,616
1972 $30,645,123 $1,415,086,929
1971 $21,965,951 $939,893,600
1970 $18,432,032 $685,986,701
1969 $16,452,028 -
1968 $16,074,028 -
1967 $16,632,032 -
1966 $16,443,034 -
1965 $15,603,032 -
1964 $15,393,032 -
1963 $13,923,029 -
1962 $12,642,026 -
1961 $11,592,024 -
1960 $12,012,025 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Seychelles vs United Arab Emirates by year

Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Seychelles UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $19,449 - - -
2024 $18,365 $33,239 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $18,131 $31,781 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $16,683 $29,973 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $14,983 $29,980 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $14,041 $31,056 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $19,142 $34,219 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $18,440 $32,091 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $17,480 $30,675 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $16,567 $28,811 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $15,333 $25,435 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $15,188 $24,985 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $14,821 $22,487 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $12,337 $22,264 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $12,110 $21,781 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $10,935 $18,982 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $9,747 $18,453 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $11,265 $18,881 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $12,669 $19,473 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $12,783 $17,503 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $11,802 $15,846 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $10,828 $14,160 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $9,070 $14,142 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $8,864 $14,570 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $8,153 $14,615 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $8,064 $14,638 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $8,243 $13,853 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $8,210 $13,675 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $7,747 $13,458 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $7,004 $11,931 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $7,181 $10,809 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $6,975 $10,692 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $6,979 $11,020 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $6,520 $10,243 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $5,655 $9,387 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $5,642 $8,955 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $4,689 - $23,167 -
1988 $4,392 - $21,570 -
1987 $3,872 - $23,113 -
1986 $3,368 - $23,132 -
1985 $2,754 - $29,468 -
1984 $2,488 - $32,012 -
1983 $2,426 - $34,650 -
1982 $2,441 - $39,972 -
1981 $2,557 - $44,855 -
1980 $2,478 - $42,925 -
1979 $2,030 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,377 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,044 - $35,020 -
1976 $814 - $31,197 -
1975 $806 - $27,117 -
1974 $745 - $23,823 -
1973 $649 - $9,696 -
1972 $547 - $3,675 -
1971 $402 - $2,805 -
1970 $344 - $2,394 -
1969 $314 - - -
1968 $314 - - -
1967 $333 - - -
1966 $338 - - -
1965 $328 - - -
1964 $332 - - -
1963 $308 - - -
1962 $287 - - -
1961 $270.3 - - -
1960 $288.1 - - -

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

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

The Seychelles' GDP per capita is $19,449, ranking 64/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Seychelles UAE
Gross domestic product
$2.39B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
177/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
5.8%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$19,449
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
64/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,239
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
67/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$1.23B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.5%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,019
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
59/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$11,537
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$646M
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2018
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2018
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.7%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.3%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.75%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.59%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
125859
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Seychelles
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Seychelles UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.7% 51.5% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 33% 56.1% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 33.1% 55.1% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 31.6% 60.6% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 38.8% 71% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 46.7% 77.4% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 31.7% 48.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 33% 51.3% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 34.3% 56.7% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 34.5% 64.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 31.5% 75.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 33.4% 70.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 37.8% 68.2% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 38.6% 80.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 36.4% 82.5% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 34.6% 82.2% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 32.1% 106.1% 35% 21.1%
2008 27% 192.1% 22% 8.95%
2007 41.9% 144% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 43.6% 135.1% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 39% 144.1% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 39.9% 163.2% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 44.6% 177% 20% 3.33%
2002 56.3% 195.9% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 46.8% 199.8% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 55.4% 177.8% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 56.1% 159.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 60.7% 161.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 54.7% 143% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 59.1% 146.7% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 53.1% 133.5% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 63.6% 123.5% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 60.4% 82.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 50.7% 79.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 52.1% 89.2% 36% 4.97%
1990 46.1% 80.4% - -
1989 51.7% 39.9% - -
1988 46.7% 41.3% - -
1987 49.7% 37% - -
1986 58% 31.5% - -
1985 53% 26.5% - -
1984 50.5% 15.3% - -
1983 47.9% 12.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Seychelles' government spending was $781M, accounting for 32.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51.5% in the Seychelles and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 102/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Seychelles

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Seychelles UAE
2025 -0.99% 5.15%
2024 -0.68% 6.41%
2023 -1.15% 5.82%
2022 -0.77% 9.8%
2021 -5.76% 3.96%
2020 -15.7% -2.42%
2019 0.42% 2.5%
2018 -0.8% 3.65%
2017 -1.67% -0.16%
2016 0.02% -2.95%
2015 1.39% -6.35%
2014 2.87% 1.74%
2013 0.33% 7.99%
2012 2.93% 8.59%
2011 3.36% 5.05%
2010 0.52% 0.52%
2009 4.84% -6.13%
2008 7.88% 17.6%
2007 -9.93% 17.1%
2006 -2.54% 20.2%
2005 0.42% 16%
2004 0.44% 6.4%
2003 3.4% 2.35%
2002 -16.3% -1.24%
2001 -8.93% 1.21%
2000 -14.7% 10.7%
1999 -10.3% 1.31%
1998 -16.7% 1%
1997 -5.91% 6.71%
1996 -9.69% 0.92%
1995 -2.58% 3.58%
1994 -6.95% -1.78%
1993 -3.62% -2.89%
1992 6.44% 3.34%
1991 3.15% 3.89%
1990 11.9% -
1989 8.26% -
1988 11.8% -
1987 2.77% -
1986 -10.1% -
1985 -4.86% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -3.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Seychelles' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $15.1M, equivalent to 0.68% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the Seychelles recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, the Seychelles posted an annual deficit equal to 2.83% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Seychelles

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Seychelles UAE
2025 0.3% 1.3%
2024 0.31% 1.7%
2023 -1.04% 1.6%
2022 2.63% 4.8%
2021 9.77% -0.1%
2020 1.2% -2.1%
2019 1.81% -1.9%
2018 3.7% 3.1%
2017 2.86% 2%
2016 -1.02% 1.6%
2015 4.04% 4.1%
2014 1.39% 2.3%
2013 4.34% 1.1%
2012 7.11% 0.7%
2011 2.56% 0.9%
2010 -2.4% 0.9%
2009 31.8% -4.7%
2008 37% 12.3%
2007 5.32% 11.1%
2006 -0.35% 9.3%
2005 0.91% 6.2%
2004 3.86% 5%
2003 3.3% 3.1%
2002 0.18% 2.9%
2001 5.97% 2.8%
2000 6.27% 1.3%
1999 6.35% 2.1%
1998 2.58% 2%
1997 0.62% 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/seychelles/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, the Seychelles has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.87%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 0.3% in the Seychelles and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Seychelles
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $175M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.23M
Metals $7.58M
Animal & marine products $3.3M
Machinery & equipment $1.27M
Precious metals & jewellery $534K
Textiles & consumer goods $157K
Raw agricultural goods $68K
Chemicals & pharma $53K
Wood & paper products $6K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $46.8M
Raw materials & minerals $28.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.1M
Metals $13.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.6M
Chemicals & pharma $11.9M
Raw agricultural goods $9.53M
Animal & marine products $8.33M
Wood & paper products $5.95M
Miscellaneous $461K

Balance of trade

Seychelles UAE
Current account balance
-$166M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
90/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.46%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$1.38B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$595M
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$1B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.71B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.7%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
79.6%
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.

Seychelles UAE
Economic freedom 66.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 60/197 29/197
Property rights 82.6 62.9
Government integrity 71.7 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 61.7 34.4
Tax burden 77.3 99.9
Government spending 68 85.1
Fiscal health 92.2 97.6
Business freedom 71.3 84.5
Labor freedom 52 63.2
Monetary freedom 79.8 81.2
Trade freedom 81.2 78.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Seychelles
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Seychelles UAE
2026 66.5 71.9
2025 66.4 71.6
2024 60.4 71.1
2023 59.5 70.9
2022 61.1 70.2
2021 66.3 76.9
2020 64.3 76.2
2019 61.4 77.6
2018 61.6 77.6
2017 61.8 76.9
2016 62.2 72.6
2015 57.5 72.4
2014 56.2 71.4
2013 54.9 71.1
2012 53 69.3
2011 51.2 67.8
2010 47.9 67.3
2009 47.8 64.7
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.6
2006 - 62.2
2005 - 65.2
2004 - 67.2
2003 - 73.4
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 74.9
2000 - 74.2
1999 - 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/seychelles/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Seychelles is 66.5, ranking 60/197, 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

Seychelles UAE
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.3%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.61%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.36B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$34,930
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$774M
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
146/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$268M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$226M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$41.4M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.3%
2018
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
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/seychelles/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.

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.