Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

Sudan has a GDP of $60.2B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 91/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sudan has $113B in government debt (187.6% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Sudan vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Sudan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sudan UAE
2025 $60,162,634,574 -
2024 $49,672,435,513 $552,324,919,096
2023 $39,898,289,821 $522,622,268,401
2022 $51,666,875,363 $511,403,404,642
2021 $34,229,513,775 $422,441,282,436
2020 $27,034,593,750 $357,161,776,271
2019 $32,338,079,165 $433,926,218,686
2018 $32,333,780,383 $440,560,003,161
2017 $41,283,617,976 $403,365,056,079
2016 $42,630,376,000 $381,717,208,621
2015 $51,726,758,677 $381,973,135,513
2014 $49,516,748,618 $424,935,834,104
2013 $43,024,018,082 $409,632,574,703
2012 $37,632,919,967 $392,793,559,051
2011 $55,018,567,211 $368,881,033,963
2010 $58,962,978,034 $307,736,348,527
2009 $51,621,044,077 $253,547,358,747
2008 $64,833,083,257 $315,474,615,741
2007 $59,440,139,775 $257,916,148,767
2006 $45,263,831,634 $222,116,532,963
2005 $35,182,711,988 $180,617,467,954
2004 $26,646,007,251 $147,824,249,958
2003 $21,355,298,460 $124,346,476,180
2002 $18,137,128,388 $109,816,091,079
2001 $15,716,361,792 $103,311,631,797
2000 $12,257,299,147 $104,337,463,730
1999 $10,682,028,340 $84,445,399,335
1998 $11,250,221,537 $75,674,384,205
1997 $11,681,175,864 $78,838,886,862
1996 $9,018,300,725 $73,571,217,377
1995 $13,830,363,900 $65,743,604,966
1994 $12,793,794,737 $59,305,111,228
1993 $8,881,005,436 $55,625,269,485
1992 $7,031,933,492 $54,239,188,746
1991 $44,171,194,366 $51,552,058,250
1990 $33,641,222,222 $50,701,374,187
1989 $21,408,111,111 $41,464,966,302
1988 $14,372,555,556 $36,275,613,877
1987 $12,093,333,333 $36,384,802,310
1986 $10,092,200,000 $33,943,568,481
1985 $8,075,259,600 $40,603,631,079
1984 $10,447,615,385 $41,807,931,453
1983 $8,230,153,846 $42,803,373,390
1982 $8,732,542,274 $46,622,715,281
1981 $10,753,888,154 $49,333,471,895
1980 $8,951,800,000 $43,599,134,193
1979 $8,418,407,787 $31,225,557,022
1978 $8,128,719,315 $23,775,718,541
1977 $7,499,005,639 $24,871,660,292
1976 $6,013,210,816 $19,213,212,475
1975 $4,823,090,192 $14,720,729,969
1974 $3,958,931,660 $11,651,505,689
1973 $3,077,254,460 $4,231,243,616
1972 $2,483,055,722 $1,415,086,929
1971 $2,288,340,041 $939,893,600
1970 $2,100,229,759 $685,986,701
1969 $1,847,501,441 -
1968 $1,677,771,401 -
1967 $1,607,409,539 -
1966 $1,484,491,676 -
1965 $1,446,869,619 -
1964 $1,388,282,600 -
1963 $1,351,234,926 -
1962 $1,328,259,625 -
1961 $1,222,860,429 -
1960 $1,126,364,162 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Sudan vs United Arab Emirates by year

Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sudan UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,165 - - -
2024 $985 $2,116 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $797 $2,421 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,046 $3,355 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $712 $3,249 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $578 $3,349 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $710 $3,914 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $731 $4,199 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $967 $4,252 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $1,033 $4,470 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $1,292 $4,217 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $1,275 $4,261 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $1,139 $3,725 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $1,019 $3,710 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $1,522 $4,112 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $1,665 $3,806 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $1,493 $3,732 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $1,928 $3,938 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $1,814 $3,836 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $1,415 $3,637 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $1,125 $3,407 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $872 $3,215 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $714 $3,058 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $621 $2,898 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $551 $2,769 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $441 $2,616 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $394 $2,475 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $425 $2,428 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $453 $2,358 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $357 $2,006 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $561 $1,902 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $532 $1,805 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $379 $1,794 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $307 $1,710 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,966 $1,599 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $1,528 $1,468 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $992 - $23,167 -
1988 $680 - $21,570 -
1987 $584 - $23,113 -
1986 $497 - $23,132 -
1985 $406 - $29,468 -
1984 $534 - $32,012 -
1983 $431 - $34,650 -
1982 $472 - $39,972 -
1981 $605 - $44,855 -
1980 $525 - $42,925 -
1979 $515 - $34,238 -
1978 $518 - $29,379 -
1977 $497 - $35,020 -
1976 $413 - $31,197 -
1975 $343 - $27,117 -
1974 $291.5 - $23,823 -
1973 $235.8 - $9,696 -
1972 $198.2 - $3,675 -
1971 $189 - $2,805 -
1970 $179.6 - $2,394 -
1969 $163.5 - - -
1968 $153.7 - - -
1967 $152.4 - - -
1966 $145.6 - - -
1965 $146.8 - - -
1964 $145.7 - - -
1963 $146.6 - - -
1962 $148.9 - - -
1961 $141.6 - - -
1960 $134.7 - - -

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

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

Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,165, ranking 175/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Sudan UAE
Gross domestic product
$60.2B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
3.06%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,165
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,116
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
185/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$113B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
187.6%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,184
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
117/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,787
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2014
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2014
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
5.99%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
138.8%
2021-2022
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2022
1.88%
2024
Population
54156832
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sudan
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sudan UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 5.99% 187.6% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 6.39% 262.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 8.23% 261.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 17.9% 189% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 9.84% 191.3% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 10.9% 278.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 18.7% 216.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.8% 209.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 12.8% 149.5% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 9.98% 109.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 12.4% 93.2% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 13.5% 84.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 15.3% 105.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 16.5% 117.7% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 18.2% 78.1% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 17.4% 74.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 18.8% 71% 35% 21.1%
2008 19.7% 55.8% 22% 8.95%
2007 19.6% 53.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 18.8% 63.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 19.7% 75.5% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 16.5% 97.8% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 12.5% 117.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 10.5% 121.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 9.87% 125.6% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 10.4% 143.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 8.4% 160.5% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 7.79% 179.7% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 7.38% 167.7% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 9.31% 220.9% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 12.9% 239% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 19.6% 386% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 23.7% 285.9% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 50.4% 495% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 45.7% - 36% 4.97%
1990 31% - - -

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/sudan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Sudan's government spending was $3.61B, accounting for 5.99% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 187.6% in Sudan and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 4/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sudan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sudan UAE
2025 -3.1% 5.15%
2024 -3.46% 6.41%
2023 -3.7% 5.82%
2022 -2.15% 9.8%
2021 -0.29% 3.96%
2020 -6.04% -2.42%
2019 -10.8% 2.5%
2018 -7.92% 3.65%
2017 -6.07% -0.16%
2016 -3.92% -2.95%
2015 -3.87% -6.35%
2014 -4.72% 1.74%
2013 -5.76% 7.99%
2012 -7.37% 8.59%
2011 -2.33% 5.05%
2010 0.11% 0.52%
2009 -3.8% -6.13%
2008 0.49% 17.6%
2007 -2.84% 17.1%
2006 -1.32% 20.2%
2005 -1.88% 16%
2004 0.16% 6.4%
2003 0.77% 2.35%
2002 -0.69% -1.24%
2001 -0.77% 1.21%
2000 -0.7% 10.7%
1999 -0.8% 1.31%
1998 -0.56% 1%
1997 -0.59% 6.71%
1996 -2.61% 0.92%
1995 -3.48% 3.58%
1994 -3.03% -1.78%
1993 -8.04% -2.89%
1992 -24.5% 3.34%
1991 -26.5% 3.89%
1990 -16.2% -

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

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

In 2024, Sudan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.72B, equivalent to 3.46% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.38% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sudan

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sudan UAE
2025 - 1.3%
2024 - 1.7%
2023 - 1.6%
2022 138.8% 4.8%
2021 359% -0.1%
2020 163.3% -2.1%
2019 51% -1.9%
2018 63.3% 3.1%
2017 32.4% 2%
2016 17.8% 1.6%
2015 16.9% 4.1%
2014 36.9% 2.3%
2013 36.5% 1.1%
2012 35.6% 0.7%
2011 18.1% 0.9%
2010 13% 0.9%
2009 11.3% -4.7%
2008 14.3% 12.3%
2007 14.8% 11.1%
2006 7.2% 9.3%
2005 8.51% 6.2%
2004 9.66% 5%
2003 6.49% 3.1%
2002 22.2% 2.9%
2001 1.94% 2.8%
2000 7.12% 1.3%
1999 17.2% 2.1%
1998 24.6% 2%
1997 47.2% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 45.2%, compared with 2.84% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2022, inflation was 138.8% in Sudan and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Sudan
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $876M
Raw agricultural goods $75M
Animal & marine products $18.4M
Metals $13.3M
Chemicals & pharma $6.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $664K
Machinery & equipment $527K
Raw materials & minerals $243K
Wood & paper products $157K
UAE
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $480M
Machinery & equipment $312M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $232M
Raw materials & minerals $171M
Chemicals & pharma $80.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $71M
Animal & marine products $67.3M
Raw agricultural goods $59.9M
Metals $15.2M
Wood & paper products $11.7M

Balance of trade

Sudan UAE
Current account balance
-$4.44B
2022
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
162/190
2022
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.6%
2022
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$9.99B
2022
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$4.36B
2022
$467B
2024
Service imports
$1.59B
2022
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.55B
2022
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.28%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.1%
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.

Sudan UAE
Economic freedom 32.5 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 191/197 29/197
Property rights 6.5 62.9
Government integrity 13.8 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 2.4 34.4
Tax burden 84.7 99.9
Government spending 96.5 85.1
Fiscal health 64.6 97.6
Business freedom 27.3 84.5
Labor freedom 33.6 63.2
Monetary freedom 6.2 81.2
Trade freedom 29.6 78.6
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sudan
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sudan UAE
2026 32.5 71.9
2025 35.3 71.6
2024 33.9 71.1
2023 32.8 70.9
2022 32 70.2
2021 39.1 76.9
2020 45 76.2
2019 47.7 77.6
2018 49.4 77.6
2017 48.8 76.9
2016 - 72.6
2015 - 72.4
2014 - 71.4
2013 - 71.1
2012 - 69.3
2011 - 67.8
2010 - 67.3
2009 - 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 47.2 74.2
1999 39.6 71.5
1998 38.3 72.2
1997 39.9 71.9
1996 39.2 71.6
1995 39.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sudan is 32.5, ranking 191/197, 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

Sudan UAE
Services, % of GDP
37%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$46.3B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,140
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$178M
2017
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
171/177
2017
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$574M
2022
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$548M
2023
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
46.5%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.73%
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/sudan/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, 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.