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

Updated on by Georank team

Tunisia has a GDP of $51.3B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 93/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Tunisia has $42.8B in government debt (83.4% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Tunisia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Tunisia UAE
2024 $51,332,285,657 $552,324,846,835
2023 $48,205,328,303 $522,622,191,967
2022 $44,929,920,093 $511,403,403,676
2021 $47,073,234,359 $422,441,388,700
2020 $42,491,780,918 $357,161,878,829
2019 $41,905,642,419 $433,926,208,305
2018 $42,686,504,460 $440,560,108,918
2017 $42,163,530,591 $403,365,010,211
2016 $44,360,072,680 $381,717,086,453
2015 $45,779,494,042 $381,973,042,886
2014 $50,271,812,921 $424,935,874,745
2013 $48,685,446,414 $409,632,675,289
2012 $47,311,401,813 $392,793,464,942
2011 $48,123,325,825 $368,881,143,635
2010 $46,206,091,938 $307,736,419,333
2009 $43,455,740,497 $253,547,358,747
2008 $44,859,439,902 $315,474,615,739
2007 $38,915,353,867 $257,916,133,424
2006 $34,376,664,601 $222,116,541,865
2005 $32,272,186,695 $180,617,467,965
2004 $31,183,885,241 $147,824,370,320
2003 $27,453,902,261 $124,346,358,067
2002 $23,141,616,605 $109,816,201,498
2001 $22,065,832,449 $103,311,640,572
2000 $21,473,528,161 $104,337,372,362
1999 $22,943,202,175 $84,445,473,111
1998 $21,802,893,587 $75,674,336,283
1997 $20,746,210,354 $78,839,008,445
1996 $19,587,161,807 $73,571,233,996
1995 $18,030,876,599 $65,743,666,576
1994 $15,633,174,304 $59,305,093,980
1993 $14,608,335,608 $55,625,170,253
1992 $15,496,708,060 $54,239,171,888
1991 $13,074,782,609 $51,552,165,622
1990 $12,290,568,182 $50,701,443,748
1989 $10,101,851,745 $41,464,995,914
1988 $10,096,245,762 $36,275,674,203
1987 $9,696,715,911 $36,384,908,744
1986 $9,017,806,654 $33,943,612,095
1985 $8,410,226,053 $40,603,650,232
1984 $8,254,541,195 $41,807,954,236
1983 $8,350,582,748 $42,803,323,345
1982 $8,133,580,052 $46,622,718,605
1981 $8,428,445,294 $49,333,424,135
1980 $8,744,134,354 $43,599,160,050
1979 $7,188,863,904 $31,225,659,621
1978 $5,968,460,080 $23,775,764,225
1977 $5,109,324,009 $24,871,775,165
1976 $4,508,191,942 $19,213,158,779
1975 $4,328,965,588 $14,720,728,249
1974 $3,545,868,575 $11,651,505,689
1973 $2,730,813,385 $4,231,243,616
1972 $2,237,556,149 $1,415,086,929
1971 $1,685,162,272 $939,893,600
1970 $1,439,238,095 $685,986,701
1969 $1,289,904,762 -
1968 $1,214,666,667 -
1967 $1,085,714,286 -
1966 $1,040,952,381 -
1965 $991,047,619 -
1964 $1,025,866,792 -
1963 $1,026,737,600 -
1962 $880,027,733 -
1961 $866,155,429 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Tunisia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Tunisia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,181 $14,521 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $3,951 $14,041 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $3,707 $13,619 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $3,907 $12,444 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $3,549 $11,918 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $3,529 $12,495 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $3,628 $11,841 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $3,619 $11,289 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $3,848 $10,994 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $4,015 $10,783 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $4,459 $10,947 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $4,370 $10,672 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $4,297 $10,615 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $4,421 $10,436 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $4,292 $10,555 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $4,080 $10,237 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $4,255 $9,975 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $3,727 $9,479 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $3,323 $8,729 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $3,147 $8,117 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $3,067 $7,672 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $2,726 $7,098 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $2,321 $6,715 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $2,236 $6,593 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $2,199 $6,279 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $2,376 $5,930 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $2,285 $5,579 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $2,202 $5,333 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $2,107 $5,040 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $1,968 $4,686 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $1,733 $4,555 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $1,649 $4,401 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $1,785 $4,292 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $1,538 $3,975 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $1,476 $3,780 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,239 - $23,167 -
1988 $1,266 - $21,570 -
1987 $1,245 - $23,113 -
1986 $1,187 - $23,132 -
1985 $1,135 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,143 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,184 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,177 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,247 - $44,854 -
1980 $1,324 - $42,925 -
1979 $1,113 - $34,238 -
1978 $946 - $29,379 -
1977 $830 - $35,020 -
1976 $752 - $31,197 -
1975 $741 - $27,117 -
1974 $624 - $23,823 -
1973 $493 - $9,696 -
1972 $415 - $3,675 -
1971 $320 - $2,805 -
1970 $280.5 - $2,394 -
1969 $257.7 - - -
1968 $248.9 - - -
1967 $228 - - -
1966 $223.8 - - -
1965 $217.3 - - -
1964 $228.5 - - -
1963 $231.9 - - -
1962 $201.4 - - -
1961 $200.7 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Tunisia's GDP per capita is $4,181, ranking 129/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Tunisia UAE
Gross domestic product
$51.3B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
93/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
1.61%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,181
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
129/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,521
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
114/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$42.8B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
83.4%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,487
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
94/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,951
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$8.3B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
7%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.5%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
15.1%
2023
1.88%
2024
Population
12437803
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Tunisia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Tunisia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 83.4% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 35.7% 84% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 36.5% 83% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 33.2% 79.7% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 34.5% 77.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 29.5% 67.3% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 28.7% 72.9% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 28.7% 67.1% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 27.2% 58.9% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 27.4% 52.4% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 27.7% 50.7% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 30.8% 45.6% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 28.3% 49% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 27.9% 43.3% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 24% 38.8% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 24.6% 40.3% 35% 21.1%
2008 23.7% 41.4% 22% 8.95%
2007 23.3% 42.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 22.9% 45.7% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 23% 50% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 23% 51.6% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 23.5% 52.6% 20% 3.33%
2002 24.1% 51.6% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 24% 52.2% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 24% 62.9% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 24% 61.9% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 24.2% 58.2% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 24.5% 66.6% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 26.7% 66.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 26.6% 65.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 25.9% 63.9% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 26.7% 63.8% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 25.7% 62.1% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 27.6% 63.3% 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 (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Tunisia's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 83.4% in Tunisia and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 40/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Tunisia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Tunisia UAE
2024 -5.92% 6.41%
2023 -7.03% 5.82%
2022 -6.91% 9.8%
2021 -7.6% 3.96%
2020 -9.06% -2.42%
2019 -3.6% 2.5%
2018 -4.27% 3.65%
2017 -5.61% -0.16%
2016 -5.87% -2.95%
2015 -4.95% -6.35%
2014 -3.11% 1.74%
2013 -7.05% 7.99%
2012 -4.9% 8.59%
2011 -3.19% 5.05%
2010 -0.46% 0.52%
2009 -2.59% -6.13%
2008 -0.62% 17.6%
2007 -2.47% 17.1%
2006 -2.33% 20.2%
2005 -2.59% 16%
2004 -2.1% 6.4%
2003 -2.64% 2.35%
2002 -2.55% -1.24%
2001 -2.87% 1.21%
2000 -3.22% 10.7%
1999 -3.05% 1.31%
1998 -2.84% 1%
1997 -3.7% 6.71%
1996 -5.18% 0.92%
1995 -4.53% 3.58%
1994 -2.87% -1.78%
1993 -3.22% -2.89%
1992 -3.45% 3.34%
1991 -5.25% 3.89%

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

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

In 2024, Tunisia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.04B, 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, Tunisia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Tunisia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.05% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Tunisia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Tunisia UAE
2024 7% 1.7%
2023 9.3% 1.6%
2022 8.3% 4.8%
2021 5.7% -0.1%
2020 5.6% -2.1%
2019 6.7% -1.9%
2018 7.3% 3.1%
2017 5.3% 2%
2016 3.6% 1.6%
2015 4.4% 4.1%
2014 4.6% 2.3%
2013 5.3% 1.1%
2012 4.6% 0.7%
2011 3.2% 0.9%
2010 4.4% 0.9%
2009 3.5% -4.7%
2008 4.9% 12.3%
2007 3.4% 11.1%
2006 4.1% 9.3%
2005 2% 6.2%
2004 3.7% 5%
2003 2.7% 3.1%
2002 2.7% 2.9%
2001 1.9% 2.8%
2000 2.8% 1.3%
1999 2.8% 2.1%
1998 3.1% 2%
1997 3.6% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Tunisia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.52%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 7% in Tunisia and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Tunisia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $47M
Animal & marine products $21.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.6M
Machinery & equipment $8.03M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.51M
Chemicals & pharma $6.99M
Metals $6.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.22M
Wood & paper products $646K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $64.1M
Chemicals & pharma $55.9M
Metals $43.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.81M
Raw materials & minerals $6.79M
Wood & paper products $3.71M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.05M
Raw agricultural goods $949K
Miscellaneous $808K

Balance of trade

Tunisia UAE
Current account balance
-$775M
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
117/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.51%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$18.7B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$8.95B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$3.92B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$11.2B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.3%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
50%
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.

Tunisia UAE
Economic freedom 48.1 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 172/197 29/197
Property rights 55.7 62.9
Government integrity 42.1 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 39.7 34.4
Tax burden 68.5 99.9
Government spending 62.5 85.1
Fiscal health 16 97.6
Business freedom 59.4 84.5
Labor freedom 55.8 63.2
Monetary freedom 72.4 81.2
Trade freedom 54.6 78.6
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Tunisia UAE
2026 48.1 71.9
2025 49.1 71.6
2024 48.8 71.1
2023 52.9 70.9
2022 54.2 70.2
2021 56.6 76.9
2020 55.8 76.2
2019 55.4 77.6
2018 58.9 77.6
2017 55.7 76.9
2016 57.6 72.6
2015 57.7 72.4
2014 57.3 71.4
2013 57 71.1
2012 58.6 69.3
2011 58.5 67.8
2010 58.9 67.3
2009 58 64.7
2008 60.1 62.6
2007 60.3 62.6
2006 57.5 62.2
2005 55.4 65.2
2004 58.4 67.2
2003 58.1 73.4
2002 60.2 73.6
2001 60.8 74.9
2000 61.3 74.2
1999 61.1 71.5
1998 63.9 72.2
1997 63.8 71.9
1996 63.9 71.6
1995 63.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Tunisia is 48.1, ranking 172/197, 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

Tunisia UAE
Services, % of GDP
62.6%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.6%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.74%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$47.7B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,230
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
80/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$725M
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$760M
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.6M
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
10.9%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.6%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
7.86%
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/tunisia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, 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, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, 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.