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

Updated on by Georank team

Tanzania has a GDP of $78.8B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 82/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tanzania has $39.3B in government debt (49.9% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Tanzania vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Tanzania
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tanzania UAE
2024 $78,844,405,385 $552,324,846,835
2023 $79,030,935,627 $522,622,191,967
2022 $75,749,121,843 $511,403,403,676
2021 $70,655,628,148 $422,441,388,700
2020 $66,068,737,786 $357,161,878,829
2019 $61,026,731,926 $433,926,208,305
2018 $57,003,712,892 $440,560,108,918
2017 $53,274,884,533 $403,365,010,211
2016 $49,774,409,374 $381,717,086,453
2015 $47,413,919,817 $381,973,042,886
2014 $49,986,726,461 $424,935,874,745
2013 $45,648,857,242 $409,632,675,289
2012 $39,650,394,363 $392,793,464,942
2011 $34,657,140,096 $368,881,143,635
2010 $32,012,892,919 $307,736,419,333
2009 $29,400,573,554 $253,547,358,747
2008 $27,947,821,398 $315,474,615,739
2007 $21,860,434,823 $257,916,133,424
2006 $18,619,859,795 $222,116,541,865
2005 $18,395,383,647 $180,617,467,965
2004 $16,673,062,473 $147,824,370,320
2003 $15,211,487,709 $124,346,358,067
2002 $14,129,651,896 $109,816,201,498
2001 $13,563,990,022 $103,311,640,572
2000 $13,371,767,082 $104,337,372,362
1999 $12,704,334,196 $84,445,473,111
1998 $12,172,790,056 $75,674,336,283
1997 $11,158,197,942 $78,839,008,445
1996 $9,433,528,150 $73,571,233,996
1995 $7,631,431,840 $65,743,666,576
1994 $6,550,480,484 $59,305,093,980
1993 $6,182,872,708 $55,625,170,253
1992 $6,681,997,469 $54,239,171,888
1991 $7,197,768,159 $51,552,165,622
1990 $6,184,384,225 $50,701,443,748
1989 $6,418,799,007 $41,464,995,914
1988 $7,406,614,407 $36,275,674,203
1987 $7,824,193,222 $36,384,908,744
1986 $10,840,864,521 $33,943,612,095
1985 $15,328,295,175 $40,603,650,232
1984 $12,906,635,133 $41,807,954,236
1983 $14,049,883,809 $42,803,323,345
1982 $13,927,383,240 $46,622,718,605
1981 $13,161,540,378 $49,333,424,135
1980 $11,409,228,087 $43,599,160,050
1979 $9,804,637,491 $31,225,659,621
1978 $9,261,675,710 $23,775,764,225
1977 $7,732,598,995 $24,871,775,165
1976 $6,472,511,988 $19,213,158,779
1975 $5,729,917,840 $14,720,728,249
1974 $4,977,337,978 $11,651,505,689
1973 $4,144,104,535 $4,231,243,616
1972 $3,472,787,266 $1,415,086,929
1971 $3,050,673,517 $939,893,600
1970 $2,851,419,386 $685,986,701
1969 $5,142,066,811 -
1968 $4,895,251,824 -
1967 $4,565,132,048 -
1966 $4,377,998,825 -
1965 $3,817,226,546 -
1964 $3,748,840,925 -
1963 $3,456,579,293 -
1962 $3,101,589,993 -
1961 $2,826,179,031 -
1960 $2,651,729,807 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Tanzania vs United Arab Emirates by year

Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tanzania UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,150 $4,221 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,186 $4,019 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $1,171 $3,800 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $1,125 $3,493 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $1,084 $3,291 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $1,031 $2,982 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $992 $2,728 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $957 $2,472 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $925 $2,435 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $911 $2,317 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $993 $2,221 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $935 $2,176 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $837 $2,083 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $753 $2,211 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $715 $2,069 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $674 $1,972 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $657 $1,908 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $528 $1,820 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $462 $1,707 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $469 $1,598 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $438 $1,482 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $410 $1,379 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $391 $1,302 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $385 $1,229 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $390 $1,164 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $382 $1,120 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $375 $1,082 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $353 $1,059 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $305 $1,026 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $251.2 $981 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $222.5 $958 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $218.2 $959 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $243.4 $955 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $268.8 $952 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $236.9 $925 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $252.3 - $23,167 -
1988 $299 - $21,570 -
1987 $326 - $23,113 -
1986 $466 - $23,132 -
1985 $681 - $29,468 -
1984 $593 - $32,012 -
1983 $667 - $34,650 -
1982 $683 - $39,972 -
1981 $665 - $44,854 -
1980 $595 - $42,925 -
1979 $527 - $34,238 -
1978 $515 - $29,379 -
1977 $446 - $35,020 -
1976 $387 - $31,197 -
1975 $355 - $27,117 -
1974 $320 - $23,823 -
1973 $276.1 - $9,696 -
1972 $239.8 - $3,675 -
1971 $218.4 - $2,805 -
1970 $211.3 - $2,394 -
1969 $394 - - -
1968 $388 - - -
1967 $374 - - -
1966 $370 - - -
1965 $333 - - -
1964 $337 - - -
1963 $320 - - -
1962 $295.7 - - -
1961 $277.4 - - -
1960 $267.8 - - -

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

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

Tanzania's GDP per capita is $1,150, ranking 170/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Tanzania UAE
Gross domestic product
$78.8B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
82/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
5.53%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,150
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
170/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,221
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
165/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$39.3B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
49.9%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$573
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
160/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,309
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.32B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
1
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33.1%
2018
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2018
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.06%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.43%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
73145892
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tanzania
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tanzania UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.1% 49.9% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19% 47.8% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 19.1% 44.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 18.4% 43.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 17.4% 41.3% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 17.3% 40.4% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 17.3% 42% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 16.4% 40.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 16.9% 39.8% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 17.2% 39.5% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 17.3% 36.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 18.8% 32.7% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 19.6% 30% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 19% 28.4% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 19.8% 27.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 19.6% 23.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 18.1% 21.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 17.8% 23.8% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 17.6% 17.4% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 18.3% 25.4% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 17% 44.5% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 15.4% 44.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 13.6% 47.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 12.4% 50.8% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 12.3% 55.4% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 12.8% 62.9% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 11.4% 62.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 12.8% 73.4% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 13.4% 89.6% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 15.6% 111.1% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 16.8% 126% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 16.4% 129.2% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 17.6% 117.6% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 14.2% 106.5% 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tanzania's government spending was $15.1B, accounting for 19.1% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 49.9% in Tanzania and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 109/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tanzania

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tanzania UAE
2024 -3.03% 6.41%
2023 -3.67% 5.82%
2022 -3.92% 9.8%
2021 -3.55% 3.96%
2020 -2.56% -2.42%
2019 -2.06% 2.5%
2018 -2.01% 3.65%
2017 -1.14% -0.16%
2016 -2.08% -2.95%
2015 -3.17% -6.35%
2014 -2.91% 1.74%
2013 -3.76% 7.99%
2012 -4% 8.59%
2011 -3.51% 5.05%
2010 -4.74% 0.52%
2009 -4.46% -6.13%
2008 -1.92% 17.6%
2007 -1.44% 17.1%
2006 -3.38% 20.2%
2005 -3.28% 16%
2004 -2.43% 6.4%
2003 -1.77% 2.35%
2002 -0.73% -1.24%
2001 -0.41% 1.21%
2000 -0.73% 10.7%
1999 -1.14% 1.31%
1998 0.13% 1%
1997 -0.03% 6.71%
1996 1.57% 0.92%
1995 -2.12% 3.58%
1994 -3.74% -1.78%
1993 -2.02% -2.89%
1992 -4.96% 3.34%
1991 0.6% 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tanzania's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.39B, equivalent to 3.03% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Tanzania recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Tanzania posted an annual deficit equal to 2.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tanzania

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tanzania UAE
2024 3.06% 1.7%
2023 3.8% 1.6%
2022 4.35% 4.8%
2021 3.69% -0.1%
2020 3.29% -2.1%
2019 3.46% -1.9%
2018 3.49% 3.1%
2017 5.32% 2%
2016 5.17% 1.6%
2015 5.59% 4.1%
2014 6.13% 2.3%
2013 7.87% 1.1%
2012 16% 0.7%
2011 12.7% 0.9%
2010 6.2% 0.9%
2009 12.1% -4.7%
2008 10.3% 12.3%
2007 7.03% 11.1%
2006 7.25% 9.3%
2005 5.03% 6.2%
2004 4.74% 5%
2003 5.3% 3.1%
2002 5.32% 2.9%
2001 5.15% 2.8%
2000 5.92% 1.3%
1999 7.89% 2.1%
1998 12.8% 2%
1997 16.1% 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/tanzania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Tanzania has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.97%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.06% in Tanzania and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Tanzania
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $483M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $73.9M
Raw agricultural goods $27.5M
Animal & marine products $19.6M
Machinery & equipment $8.3M
Raw materials & minerals $7.84M
Metals $3.2M
Chemicals & pharma $1.05M
Textiles & consumer goods $643K
Wood & paper products $306K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $548M
Raw materials & minerals $243M
Chemicals & pharma $154M
Metals $82.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $69.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $69.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $31.5M
Animal & marine products $11.1M
Wood & paper products $10.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.51M

Balance of trade

Tanzania UAE
Current account balance
-$2.38B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
147/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.02%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$14.2B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$9.12B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$2.8B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$6.85B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.7%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.8%
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.

Tanzania UAE
Economic freedom 59 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 106/197 29/197
Property rights 45.2 62.9
Government integrity 40.9 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.6 34.4
Tax burden 80.4 99.9
Government spending 89.1 85.1
Fiscal health 75 97.6
Business freedom 48.1 84.5
Labor freedom 62.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 73.4 81.2
Trade freedom 58.8 78.6
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tanzania
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tanzania UAE
2026 59 71.9
2025 59.3 71.6
2024 59.1 71.1
2023 60 70.9
2022 59.5 70.2
2021 61.3 76.9
2020 61.7 76.2
2019 60.2 77.6
2018 59.9 77.6
2017 58.6 76.9
2016 58.5 72.6
2015 57.5 72.4
2014 57.8 71.4
2013 57.9 71.1
2012 57 69.3
2011 57 67.8
2010 58.3 67.3
2009 58.3 64.7
2008 56.5 62.6
2007 56.8 62.6
2006 58.5 62.2
2005 56.3 65.2
2004 60.1 67.2
2003 56.9 73.4
2002 58.3 73.6
2001 54.9 74.9
2000 56 74.2
1999 60 71.5
1998 59.6 72.2
1997 59.3 71.9
1996 57.5 71.6
1995 57.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tanzania is 59, ranking 106/197, 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

Tanzania UAE
Services, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.6%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$80.2B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.05B
2018
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
101/177
2018
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.72B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.72B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.57%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
26.4%
2018
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
39.8%
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/tanzania/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.