Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

Turkey has a GDP of $1.6T compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 16/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Turkey has $375B in government debt (23.5% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% 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
2025 $1,597,293,229,287 -
2024 $1,359,123,768,774 $552,324,919,096
2023 $1,141,242,864,657 $522,622,268,401
2022 $926,097,476,914 $511,403,404,642
2021 $839,938,668,172 $422,441,282,436
2020 $733,628,247,119 $357,161,776,271
2019 $775,853,144,223 $433,926,218,686
2018 $788,356,985,774 $440,560,003,161
2017 $863,874,522,365 $403,365,056,079
2016 $870,818,016,910 $381,717,208,621
2015 $865,460,050,684 $381,973,135,513
2014 $942,343,431,929 $424,935,834,104
2013 $962,167,643,589 $409,632,574,703
2012 $885,327,622,479 $392,793,559,051
2011 $844,192,507,381 $368,881,033,963
2010 $782,545,664,268 $307,736,348,527
2009 $653,894,449,921 $253,547,358,747
2008 $775,415,944,333 $315,474,615,741
2007 $685,228,481,017 $257,916,148,767
2006 $559,668,118,237 $222,116,532,963
2005 $508,314,210,213 $180,617,467,954
2004 $410,156,784,496 $147,824,249,958
2003 $315,392,899,922 $124,346,476,180
2002 $240,778,008,474 $109,816,091,079
2001 $202,195,080,239 $103,311,631,797
2000 $274,748,463,179 $104,337,463,730
1999 $256,673,939,248 $84,445,399,335
1998 $276,035,372,655 $75,674,384,205
1997 $263,817,553,748 $78,838,886,862
1996 $250,366,965,174 $73,571,217,377
1995 $234,699,627,004 $65,743,604,966
1994 $130,650,447,499 $59,305,111,228
1993 $180,415,757,852 $55,625,269,485
1992 $159,104,772,992 $54,239,188,746
1991 $151,034,731,544 $51,552,058,250
1990 $150,655,500,192 $50,701,374,187
1989 $107,127,191,329 $41,464,966,302
1988 $90,875,175,809 $36,275,613,877
1987 $87,190,081,680 $36,384,802,310
1986 $75,673,037,037 $33,943,568,481
1985 $67,232,758,621 $40,603,631,079
1984 $59,937,602,180 $41,807,931,453
1983 $61,803,555,556 $42,803,373,390
1982 $64,369,325,153 $46,622,715,281
1981 $71,180,180,180 $49,333,471,895
1980 $68,823,684,211 $43,599,134,193
1979 $89,616,129,032 $31,225,557,022
1978 $65,912,500,000 $23,775,718,541
1977 $58,683,333,333 $24,871,660,292
1976 $51,450,000,000 $19,213,212,475
1975 $46,042,857,143 $14,720,729,969
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $18,599 - - -
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 $44,118 $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 - $44,855 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Turkey's GDP per capita is $18,599, ranking 66/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. 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
$1.6T
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
16/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
3.6%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$18,599
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
66/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$45,639
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
51/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$375B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
23.5%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,367
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
92/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,616
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$404B
2025
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires
93,000
2026
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires
32
2026
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
2023
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2023
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.4%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
34.9%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
37%
2026
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.4%
2025
1.88%
2024
Population
86225430
11885001

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
2025 32.4% 23.5% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 32.9% 23.6% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 32.7% 28.2% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 26.8% 29.4% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 30.5% 38.9% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 34% 38.3% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 34.8% 31.2% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 33.9% 28.8% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 32.4% 26.9% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 33.8% 27% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 32.4% 26.5% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 32.5% 27.4% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 33.5% 29.5% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 34% 30.8% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 32.6% 34.8% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 35.2% 38.6% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 37% 42.4% 35% 21.1%
2008 33.5% 37% 22% 8.95%
2007 32.7% 37.1% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 33.4% 44.2% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 32% 50.2% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 34.5% 57% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 38.3% 63.6% 20% 3.33%
2002 40.9% 71.2% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 43.9% 75.6% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Turkey's government spending was $517B, accounting for 32.4% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 23.5% in Turkey and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 169/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Turkey

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Turkey UAE
2025 -2.78% 5.15%
2024 -4.51% 6.41%
2023 -5.19% 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Turkey's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $61.3B, equivalent to 4.51% 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
2025 34.9% 1.3%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Turkey has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 28%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 34.9% in Turkey and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Turkey
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $4.94B
Raw materials & minerals $1.32B
Machinery & equipment $1.19B
Textiles & consumer goods $472M
Chemicals & pharma $394M
Metals $309M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $287M
Raw agricultural goods $120M
Animal & marine products $118M
Weapons & explosives $61.9M
UAE
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $16.9B
Machinery & equipment $1.2B
Metals $802M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $464M
Chemicals & pharma $160M
Raw materials & minerals $102M
Textiles & consumer goods $83.5M
Raw agricultural goods $19.6M
Wood & paper products $6.17M
Animal & marine products $4.28M

Balance of trade

Turkey UAE
Current account balance
-$10.4B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
175/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.77%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$313B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$257B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$55.8B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$117B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.1%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.8%
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.

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 2026-07-08).

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
59.4%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.21%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.4T
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$44,630
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$186B
2025
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
20/177
2025
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.08B
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
6.68%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
13%
2024
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.7%
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/turkey/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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.