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

Updated on by Georank team

Turkey has a GDP of $1.36T compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 17/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Turkey has $327B in government debt (24% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Turkey vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Turkey
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Turkey UAE
2024 $1,359,123,768,774 $552,324,846,835
2023 $1,141,242,864,657 $522,622,191,967
2022 $926,097,476,914 $511,403,403,676
2021 $839,938,668,172 $422,441,388,700
2020 $733,628,247,119 $357,161,878,829
2019 $775,853,144,223 $433,926,208,305
2018 $788,356,985,774 $440,560,108,918
2017 $863,874,522,365 $403,365,010,211
2016 $870,818,016,910 $381,717,086,453
2015 $865,460,050,684 $381,973,042,886
2014 $942,343,431,929 $424,935,874,745
2013 $962,167,643,589 $409,632,675,289
2012 $885,327,622,479 $392,793,464,942
2011 $844,192,507,381 $368,881,143,635
2010 $782,545,664,268 $307,736,419,333
2009 $653,894,449,921 $253,547,358,747
2008 $775,415,944,333 $315,474,615,739
2007 $685,228,481,017 $257,916,133,424
2006 $559,668,118,237 $222,116,541,865
2005 $508,314,210,213 $180,617,467,965
2004 $410,156,784,496 $147,824,370,320
2003 $315,392,899,922 $124,346,358,067
2002 $240,778,008,474 $109,816,201,498
2001 $202,195,080,239 $103,311,640,572
2000 $274,748,463,179 $104,337,372,362
1999 $256,673,939,248 $84,445,473,111
1998 $276,035,372,655 $75,674,336,283
1997 $263,817,553,748 $78,839,008,445
1996 $250,366,965,174 $73,571,233,996
1995 $234,699,627,004 $65,743,666,576
1994 $130,650,447,499 $59,305,093,980
1993 $180,415,757,852 $55,625,170,253
1992 $159,104,772,992 $54,239,171,888
1991 $151,034,731,544 $51,552,165,622
1990 $150,655,500,192 $50,701,443,748
1989 $107,127,191,329 $41,464,995,914
1988 $90,875,175,809 $36,275,674,203
1987 $87,190,081,680 $36,384,908,744
1986 $75,673,037,037 $33,943,612,095
1985 $67,232,758,621 $40,603,650,232
1984 $59,937,602,180 $41,807,954,236
1983 $61,803,555,556 $42,803,323,345
1982 $64,369,325,153 $46,622,718,605
1981 $71,180,180,180 $49,333,424,135
1980 $68,823,684,211 $43,599,160,050
1979 $89,616,129,032 $31,225,659,621
1978 $65,912,500,000 $23,775,764,225
1977 $58,683,333,333 $24,871,775,165
1976 $51,450,000,000 $19,213,158,779
1975 $46,042,857,143 $14,720,728,249
1974 $35,414,285,714 $11,651,505,689
1973 $26,000,000,000 $4,231,243,616
1972 $20,650,000,000 $1,415,086,929
1971 $16,166,666,667 $939,893,600
1970 $17,863,636,364 $685,986,701
1969 $19,466,666,667 -
1968 $17,500,000,000 -
1967 $15,644,444,444 -
1966 $14,100,000,000 -
1965 $11,966,666,667 -
1964 $11,177,777,778 -
1963 $10,355,555,556 -
1962 $8,922,222,222 -
1961 $7,988,888,889 -
1960 $7,566,666,667 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Turkey vs United Arab Emirates by year

Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Turkey UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $15,893 $45,639 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $13,375 $42,786 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $10,898 $39,564 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $9,982 $32,106 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $8,798 $29,209 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $9,395 $29,016 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $9,684 $28,640 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $10,756 $28,354 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $10,984 $26,731 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $11,065 $25,890 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $12,209 $24,193 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $12,636 $22,475 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $11,777 $20,739 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $11,374 $19,717 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $10,699 $17,466 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $9,077 $15,560 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $10,913 $16,142 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $9,767 $14,951 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $7,990 $13,555 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $7,332 $11,803 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $5,980 $10,759 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $4,650 $9,474 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $3,591 $9,154 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $3,052 $9,014 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $4,199 $9,326 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $3,974 $8,470 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $4,331 $8,763 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $4,197 $11,514 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $4,041 $10,624 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $3,846 $9,962 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $2,176 $9,253 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $3,058 $9,751 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $2,744 $8,969 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $2,649 $8,418 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $2,690 $8,208 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $1,949 - $23,167 -
1988 $1,686 - $21,570 -
1987 $1,650 - $23,113 -
1986 $1,461 - $23,132 -
1985 $1,326 - $29,468 -
1984 $1,209 - $32,012 -
1983 $1,276 - $34,650 -
1982 $1,360 - $39,972 -
1981 $1,537 - $44,854 -
1980 $1,516 - $42,925 -
1979 $2,013 - $34,238 -
1978 $1,510 - $29,379 -
1977 $1,372 - $35,020 -
1976 $1,228 - $31,197 -
1975 $1,122 - $27,117 -
1974 $881 - $23,823 -
1973 $661 - $9,696 -
1972 $537 - $3,675 -
1971 $431 - $2,805 -
1970 $488 - $2,394 -
1969 $544 - - -
1968 $501 - - -
1967 $459 - - -
1966 $425 - - -
1965 $370 - - -
1964 $354 - - -
1963 $337 - - -
1962 $298.2 - - -
1961 $274.4 - - -
1960 $267.1 - - -

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

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

Turkey's GDP per capita is $15,893, ranking 66/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Turkey UAE
Gross domestic product
$1.36T
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
17/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
3.33%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$15,893
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
66/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$45,639
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
51/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$327B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
24%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,820
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
92/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,928
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$379B
2024
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires
60,787
2025
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires
32
2025
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
35.2%
2022
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2022
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.6%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
58.5%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
38%
2025
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.71%
2024
1.88%
2024
Population
86002379
11686438

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Turkey
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Turkey UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.6% 24% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 32.5% 28.7% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 26.8% 30.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 30.5% 39.4% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 34% 38.7% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 34.8% 31.8% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 33.9% 29.5% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 32.4% 27.6% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 33.8% 27.7% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 32.4% 27.1% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 32.5% 28.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 33.5% 30.8% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 34% 32.1% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 32.6% 35.7% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 35.2% 39.2% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 37% 42.9% 35% 21.1%
2008 33.5% 37.5% 22% 8.95%
2007 32.7% 37.5% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 33.4% 44% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 32% 50% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.5% 57% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 38.3% 65% 20% 3.33%
2002 40.9% 71.3% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 43.9% 75.3% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 39.4% 51.2% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 32.7% 52.1% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 27.9% 36.5% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 26.4% 32.5% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 24.5% 35.5% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 19.4% 34.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 20.5% 39.2% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 22% 29.1% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 18.6% 29.2% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 18.2% 28.4% 36% 4.97%
1990 14.1% 25.8% - -
1989 13.8% 33.5% - -
1988 12.9% 38.6% - -
1987 13.3% 40.3% - -
1986 12.1% 38.2% - -
1985 18% 44.3% - -
1984 14.1% 42.6% - -
1983 14.9% 32.7% - -
1982 19.2% 33.4% - -
1981 24% 32% - -
1980 25.5% 22.4% - -
1979 28.3% 23.6% - -
1978 27.6% 25.8% - -
1977 27.8% 24% - -
1976 23.3% 20.4% - -
1975 22% 20.2% - -
1974 19% 19% - -
1973 21.8% 23.1% - -
1972 21.9% 30.1% - -
1971 24.8% 34.4% - -
1970 22.7% 39.8% - -
1969 20.5% 33.2% - -
1968 19% 33.2% - -
1967 20.1% 33.3% - -
1966 18.9% 33.4% - -
1965 19% 33.4% - -
1964 18.9% 25.7% - -
1963 17.5% 27.6% - -
1962 15.7% 28.8% - -
1961 22.9% 28.9% - -
1960 15.6% 19.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Turkey's government spending was $444B, accounting for 32.6% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 24% in Turkey and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 170/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Turkey

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Turkey UAE
2024 -4.57% 6.41%
2023 -5.22% 5.82%
2022 -1.1% 9.8%
2021 -2.98% 3.96%
2020 -4.64% -2.42%
2019 -4.69% 2.5%
2018 -3.1% 3.65%
2017 -1.87% -0.16%
2016 -1.68% -2.95%
2015 -0.51% -6.35%
2014 -0.96% 1.74%
2013 -1.21% 7.99%
2012 -1.78% 8.59%
2011 -0.35% 5.05%
2010 -2.99% 0.52%
2009 -5.14% -6.13%
2008 -2.13% 17.6%
2007 -1.37% 17.1%
2006 -0.22% 20.2%
2005 -0.75% 16%
2004 -4.11% 6.4%
2003 -7.55% 2.35%
2002 -11.3% -1.24%
2001 -11.6% 1.21%
2000 -8.36% 10.7%
1999 -13.8% 1.31%
1998 -9.84% 1%
1997 -10.1% 6.71%
1996 -10.7% 0.92%
1995 -5.95% 3.58%
1994 -6.04% -1.78%
1993 -8.84% -2.89%
1992 -6.73% 3.34%
1991 -6.86% 3.89%
1990 -3.65% -
1989 -3.87% -
1988 -3.2% -
1987 -3.47% -
1986 -2.43% -
1985 -5.84% -
1984 -3.77% -
1983 -1.45% -
1982 -1.61% -
1981 -1.5% -
1980 -3.67% -
1979 -3.06% -
1978 -1.83% -
1977 -5.1% -
1976 -0.6% -
1975 -0.19% -
1974 -1.02% -
1973 -0.98% -
1972 -0.13% -
1971 -3.05% -
1970 0.14% -
1969 -1.45% -
1968 -0.62% -
1967 0.1% -
1966 -0.66% -
1965 -1.18% -
1964 -0.84% -
1963 0% -
1962 -0.16% -
1961 -1% -
1960 -0.83% -
1959 -0.78% -
1958 -0.45% -
1957 -0.66% -
1956 -0.84% -
1955 -0.85% -
1954 -1.12% -
1953 -0.12% -
1952 -0.1% -
1951 0.48% -
1950 -0.53% -
1949 0.81% -
1948 0.84% -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 1.01% -
1944 - -
1943 0.22% -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 1.18% -
1937 - -
1936 1.43% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Turkey's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $62.1B, equivalent to 4.57% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Turkey recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Turkey posted an annual deficit equal to 4.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Turkey

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Turkey UAE
2024 58.5% 1.7%
2023 53.9% 1.6%
2022 72.3% 4.8%
2021 19.6% -0.1%
2020 12.3% -2.1%
2019 15.2% -1.9%
2018 16.3% 3.1%
2017 11.1% 2%
2016 7.78% 1.6%
2015 7.67% 4.1%
2014 8.85% 2.3%
2013 7.49% 1.1%
2012 8.89% 0.7%
2011 6.47% 0.9%
2010 8.57% 0.9%
2009 6.25% -4.7%
2008 10.4% 12.3%
2007 8.76% 11.1%
2006 9.6% 9.3%
2005 8.18% 6.2%
2004 8.6% 5%
2003 21.6% 3.1%
2002 45% 2.9%
2001 54.4% 2.8%
2000 54.9% 1.3%
1999 64.9% 2.1%
1998 84.6% 2%
1997 85.7% 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/turkey/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Turkey has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 27.8%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 58.5% in Turkey and 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Turkey
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $4.72B
Machinery & equipment $887M
Raw materials & minerals $836M
Textiles & consumer goods $585M
Chemicals & pharma $298M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $297M
Metals $243M
Animal & marine products $191M
Raw agricultural goods $105M
Weapons & explosives $67.2M
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $16.3B
Machinery & equipment $1.03B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $539M
Metals $384M
Chemicals & pharma $230M
Textiles & consumer goods $91.3M
Raw materials & minerals $73.9M
Raw agricultural goods $12.8M
Wood & paper products $9.7M
Animal & marine products $4.56M

Balance of trade

Turkey UAE
Current account balance
-$10.2B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
176/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.75%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$314B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$257B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$53.3B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$115B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
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.

Turkey UAE
Economic freedom 55 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 129/197 29/197
Property rights 36.4 62.9
Government integrity 35.3 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 23.5 34.4
Tax burden 72 99.9
Government spending 71.8 85.1
Fiscal health 77.8 97.6
Business freedom 61.6 84.5
Labor freedom 44.3 63.2
Monetary freedom 36.5 81.2
Trade freedom 71 78.6
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Turkey
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Turkey UAE
2026 55 71.9
2025 56.1 71.6
2024 56.2 71.1
2023 56.9 70.9
2022 56.9 70.2
2021 64 76.9
2020 64.4 76.2
2019 64.6 77.6
2018 65.4 77.6
2017 65.2 76.9
2016 62.1 72.6
2015 63.2 72.4
2014 64.9 71.4
2013 62.9 71.1
2012 62.5 69.3
2011 64.2 67.8
2010 63.8 67.3
2009 61.6 64.7
2008 59.9 62.6
2007 57.4 62.6
2006 57 62.2
2005 50.6 65.2
2004 52.8 67.2
2003 51.9 73.4
2002 54.2 73.6
2001 60.6 74.9
2000 63.4 74.2
1999 59.2 71.5
1998 60.9 72.2
1997 60.8 71.9
1996 56.7 71.6
1995 58.4 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Turkey is 55, ranking 129/197, 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

Turkey UAE
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.82%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.15T
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$45,110
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$155B
2024
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
21/177
2024
14/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.13B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$11.7B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$6.61B
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
13.6%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.7%
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/turkey/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.