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Economy of Trinidad and Tobago vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Trinidad and Tobago has a GDP of $25.9B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 122/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Trinidad and Tobago has $21.8B in government debt (84.2% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Trinidad and Tobago vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Trinidad and Tobago
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Trinidad UAE
2025 $25,942,749,718 -
2024 $25,633,544,529 $552,324,919,096
2023 $25,036,993,423 $522,622,268,401
2022 $28,341,164,301 $511,403,404,642
2021 $24,222,963,263 $422,441,282,436
2020 $20,888,515,184 $357,161,776,271
2019 $23,477,745,792 $433,926,218,686
2018 $23,883,058,083 $440,560,003,161
2017 $23,830,750,901 $403,365,056,079
2016 $23,624,322,193 $381,717,208,621
2015 $26,841,141,793 $381,973,135,513
2014 $29,474,180,005 $424,935,834,104
2013 $28,560,537,057 $409,632,574,703
2012 $27,147,349,937 $392,793,559,051
2011 $25,433,007,437 $368,881,033,963
2010 $22,157,920,592 $307,736,348,527
2009 $19,172,165,226 $253,547,358,747
2008 $27,871,587,350 $315,474,615,741
2007 $21,641,620,050 $257,916,148,767
2006 $18,369,361,094 $222,116,532,963
2005 $15,982,389,018 $180,617,467,954
2004 $13,280,291,990 $147,824,249,958
2003 $11,305,459,802 $124,346,476,180
2002 $9,008,298,229 $109,816,091,079
2001 $8,824,849,191 $103,311,631,797
2000 $8,154,342,116 $104,337,463,730
1999 $6,808,982,521 $84,445,399,335
1998 $6,043,686,654 $75,674,384,205
1997 $5,737,771,523 $78,838,886,862
1996 $5,759,570,336 $73,571,217,377
1995 $5,329,217,747 $65,743,604,966
1994 $4,947,181,646 $59,305,111,228
1993 $4,669,491,134 $55,625,269,485
1992 $5,439,552,941 $54,239,188,746
1991 $5,307,905,882 $51,552,058,250
1990 $5,068,000,000 $50,701,374,187
1989 $4,323,058,824 $41,464,966,302
1988 $4,496,910,569 $36,275,613,877
1987 $4,797,777,778 $36,384,802,310
1986 $4,794,444,444 $33,943,568,481
1985 $7,375,918,367 $40,603,631,079
1984 $7,757,083,333 $41,807,931,453
1983 $7,763,750,000 $42,803,373,390
1982 $8,140,416,667 $46,622,715,281
1981 $6,992,083,333 $49,333,471,895
1980 $6,235,833,333 $43,599,134,193
1979 $4,602,416,625 $31,225,557,022
1978 $3,562,333,458 $23,775,718,541
1977 $3,138,666,667 $24,871,660,292
1976 $2,500,424,955 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,442,669,825 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,042,001,071 $11,651,505,689
1973 $1,308,785,431 $4,231,243,616
1972 $1,083,391,758 $1,415,086,929
1971 $896,765,215 $939,893,600
1970 $821,850,000 $685,986,701
1969 $779,200,000 -
1968 $758,899,950 -
1967 $761,981,912 -
1966 $723,739,857 -
1965 $736,573,159 -
1964 $711,897,520 -
1963 $678,239,329 -
1962 $619,322,810 -
1961 $584,964,621 -
1960 $535,673,252 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Trinidad and Tobago vs United Arab Emirates by year

Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Trinidad UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $18,967 - - -
2024 $18,733 $36,329 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $18,308 $34,623 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $20,751 $32,979 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $17,713 $30,482 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $15,284 $26,731 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $17,213 $29,316 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $17,571 $28,673 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $17,566 $28,484 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $17,449 $28,232 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $19,887 $29,825 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $21,908 $32,027 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $21,305 $31,746 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $20,332 $31,883 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $19,151 $31,078 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $16,815 $30,778 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $14,634 $29,602 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $21,299 $30,807 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $16,607 $29,355 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $14,153 $27,393 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $12,346 $23,536 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $9,871 $20,674 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $8,445 $18,743 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $6,763 $16,141 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $6,657 $14,797 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $6,179 $13,953 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $5,179 $12,812 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $4,613 $11,735 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $4,394 $10,769 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $4,427 $9,883 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $4,115 $9,099 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $3,840 $8,631 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $3,647 $8,209 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $4,277 $8,129 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $4,205 $7,274 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $4,047 $6,878 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $3,482 - $23,167 -
1988 $3,656 - $21,570 -
1987 $3,941 - $23,113 -
1986 $3,985 - $23,132 -
1985 $6,212 - $29,468 -
1984 $6,613 - $32,012 -
1983 $6,690 - $34,650 -
1982 $7,091 - $39,972 -
1981 $6,160 - $44,855 -
1980 $5,559 - $42,925 -
1979 $4,155 - $34,238 -
1978 $3,258 - $29,379 -
1977 $2,907 - $35,020 -
1976 $2,345 - $31,197 -
1975 $2,319 - $27,117 -
1974 $1,962 - $23,823 -
1973 $1,273 - $9,696 -
1972 $1,067 - $3,675 -
1971 $894 - $2,805 -
1970 $829 - $2,394 -
1969 $795 - - -
1968 $783 - - -
1967 $797 - - -
1966 $768 - - -
1965 $793 - - -
1964 $780 - - -
1963 $756 - - -
1962 $704 - - -
1961 $678 - - -
1960 $634 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Trinidad and Tobago's GDP per capita is $18,967, ranking 65/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Trinidad UAE
Gross domestic product
$25.9B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
122/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.79%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,967
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
65/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$36,329
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
62/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$21.8B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.2%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$15,965
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
43/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,176
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.89B
2001
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
1992
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
1992
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.4%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.99%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.5%
2020
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.01%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
1370916
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Trinidad UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.4% 84.2% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 32.2% 81.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 32.4% 78.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 28.3% 69.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 31.4% 80.2% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 35.1% 81.6% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 31% 62.9% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 30.2% 58.1% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 30.9% 57.2% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 31.2% 53.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 34.1% 43.2% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 33% 37.1% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 31.7% 32.9% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 29.9% 32.9% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 30.4% 39.2% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 31.5% 28.9% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 33.4% 34.2% 35% 21.1%
2008 28.2% 24.6% 22% 8.95%
2007 26.8% 29.4% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 34.6% 32.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 29.5% 36.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 23.3% 43.3% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 23.5% 52.4% 20% 3.33%
2002 24.6% 58.2% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 25.2% 54.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 24.1% 52.3% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 24.8% 55.2% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 27.3% 47.4% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 27.4% 51.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 28.2% 51.9% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 26.7% 57.3% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 26.5% 64.8% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 27.3% 59.6% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 28.8% 49.5% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 30% 50% 36% 4.97%
1990 27.9% 49.5% - -
1989 30.9% 51.9% - -
1988 45.3% 65.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Trinidad and Tobago's government spending was $8.39B, accounting for 32.4% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 37/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Trinidad and Tobago

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Trinidad UAE
2025 -5.46% 5.15%
2024 -5.92% 6.41%
2023 -1.2% 5.82%
2022 0.96% 9.8%
2021 -8.39% 3.96%
2020 -11.8% -2.42%
2019 -3.72% 2.5%
2018 -5.89% 3.65%
2017 -10.5% -0.16%
2016 -9.84% -2.95%
2015 -7.37% -6.35%
2014 -4.34% 1.74%
2013 -2.7% 7.99%
2012 -1.28% 8.59%
2011 -0.69% 5.05%
2010 0.14% 0.52%
2009 -4.88% -6.13%
2008 5.7% 17.6%
2007 3.24% 17.1%
2006 -0.3% 20.2%
2005 0.84% 16%
2004 1.91% 6.4%
2003 1.9% 2.35%
2002 -0.2% -1.24%
2001 0.62% 1.21%
2000 0.18% 10.7%
1999 -0.9% 1.31%
1998 -1.83% 1%
1997 0.11% 6.71%
1996 -0.46% 0.92%
1995 0.17% 3.58%
1994 -0.02% -1.78%
1993 0.24% -2.89%
1992 -2.76% 3.34%
1991 -0.21% 3.89%
1990 -1.32% -
1989 -4.46% -
1988 -9.34% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2024, Trinidad and Tobago's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 5.92% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Trinidad and Tobago recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Trinidad and Tobago posted an annual deficit equal to 2.03% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Trinidad and Tobago

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Trinidad UAE
2025 0.99% 1.3%
2024 0.53% 1.7%
2023 4.63% 1.6%
2022 5.83% 4.8%
2021 2.06% -0.1%
2020 0.6% -2.1%
2019 1% -1.9%
2018 1.02% 3.1%
2017 1.88% 2%
2016 3.07% 1.6%
2015 4.66% 4.1%
2014 5.68% 2.3%
2013 5.2% 1.1%
2012 9.26% 0.7%
2011 5.11% 0.9%
2010 10.5% 0.9%
2009 6.98% -4.7%
2008 12% 12.3%
2007 7.89% 11.1%
2006 8.33% 9.3%
2005 6.87% 6.2%
2004 3.72% 5%
2003 3.81% 3.1%
2002 4.15% 2.9%
2001 5.54% 2.8%
2000 3.56% 1.3%
1999 3.44% 2.1%
1998 5.61% 2%
1997 3.63% 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/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Trinidad and Tobago has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.75%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Trinidad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $699M
Machinery & equipment $24.7M
Metals $6.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $49K
Chemicals & pharma $34K
Miscellaneous $29K
Wood & paper products $8K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $8.12M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.01M
Metals $2.84M
Chemicals & pharma $2.63M
Raw materials & minerals $631K
Raw agricultural goods $400K
Textiles & consumer goods $323K
Wood & paper products $276K
Miscellaneous $61K
Precious metals & jewellery $53K

Balance of trade

Trinidad UAE
Current account balance
$1.25B
2025
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
48/190
2025
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.81%
2025
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$6.83B
2025
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$10.2B
2025
$467B
2024
Service imports
$2.8B
2025
$117B
2024
Service exports
$1.27B
2025
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
45%
2026
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Trinidad UAE
Economic freedom 62.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 87/197 29/197
Property rights 47.3 62.9
Government integrity 45.5 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.8 34.4
Tax burden 76.1 99.9
Government spending 71.1 85.1
Fiscal health 86.3 97.6
Business freedom 67.1 84.5
Labor freedom 57.2 63.2
Monetary freedom 81 81.2
Trade freedom 68.8 78.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Trinidad and Tobago
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Trinidad UAE
2026 62.4 71.9
2025 63.6 71.6
2024 60.4 71.1
2023 59.5 70.9
2022 58.8 70.2
2021 59 76.9
2020 58.3 76.2
2019 57 77.6
2018 57.7 77.6
2017 61.2 76.9
2016 62.9 72.6
2015 64.1 72.4
2014 62.7 71.4
2013 62.3 71.1
2012 64.4 69.3
2011 66.5 67.8
2010 65.7 67.3
2009 68 64.7
2008 69.5 62.6
2007 70.6 62.6
2006 70.4 62.2
2005 71.5 65.2
2004 71.3 67.2
2003 68.8 73.4
2002 70.1 73.6
2001 71.8 74.9
2000 74.5 74.2
1999 72.4 71.5
1998 72 72.2
1997 71.3 71.9
1996 69.2 71.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Trinidad and Tobago is 62.4, ranking 87/197, 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

Trinidad UAE
Services, % of GDP
59.2%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.78%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$25.4B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$36,080
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.6B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
99/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$404M
2025
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$453M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$527M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2020
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19%
2023
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/trinidad-and-tobago/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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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. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1998, 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.

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.