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

Updated on by Georank

Uganda has a GDP of $62B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 89/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uganda has $33.6B in government debt (54.2% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Uganda vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Uganda
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Uganda UAE
2025 $61,985,829,288 -
2024 $53,911,907,079 $552,324,919,096
2023 $48,768,955,863 $522,622,268,401
2022 $45,565,333,211 $511,403,404,642
2021 $40,529,788,749 $422,441,282,436
2020 $37,600,368,242 $357,161,776,271
2019 $35,353,061,003 $433,926,218,686
2018 $32,927,025,620 $440,560,003,161
2017 $30,744,473,841 $403,365,056,079
2016 $29,203,988,696 $381,717,208,621
2015 $32,387,183,730 $381,973,135,513
2014 $32,612,397,257 $424,935,834,104
2013 $28,915,786,517 $409,632,574,703
2012 $27,305,915,911 $392,793,559,051
2011 $27,871,725,241 $368,881,033,963
2010 $26,673,441,431 $307,736,348,527
2009 $25,127,805,567 $253,547,358,747
2008 $14,440,404,132 $315,474,615,741
2007 $11,902,564,495 $257,916,148,767
2006 $9,977,647,683 $222,116,532,963
2005 $9,239,221,763 $180,617,467,954
2004 $7,939,487,548 $147,824,249,958
2003 $6,606,884,275 $124,346,476,180
2002 $6,178,563,591 $109,816,091,079
2001 $5,840,503,869 $103,311,631,797
2000 $6,193,246,837 $104,337,463,730
1999 $5,998,563,258 $84,445,399,335
1998 $6,584,815,847 $75,674,384,205
1997 $6,269,333,313 $78,838,886,862
1996 $6,044,585,327 $73,571,217,377
1995 $5,755,818,842 $65,743,604,966
1994 $3,990,430,447 $59,305,111,228
1993 $3,220,439,044 $55,625,269,485
1992 $2,857,457,762 $54,239,188,746
1991 $3,321,729,160 $51,552,058,250
1990 $4,304,399,310 $50,701,374,187
1989 $5,276,480,799 $41,464,966,302
1988 $6,508,931,652 $36,275,613,877
1987 $6,269,522,042 $36,384,802,310
1986 $3,923,244,050 $33,943,568,481
1985 $3,519,695,444 $40,603,631,079
1984 $3,615,647,477 $41,807,931,453
1983 $2,240,333,333 $42,803,373,390
1982 $2,177,500,000 $46,622,715,281
1981 $1,337,300,000 $49,333,471,895
1980 $1,244,610,000 $43,599,134,193
1979 $2,139,025,000 $31,225,557,022
1978 $2,420,260,870 $23,775,718,541
1977 $2,936,470,588 $24,871,660,292
1976 $2,447,300,000 $19,213,212,475
1975 $2,359,555,556 $14,720,729,969
1974 $2,098,944,967 $11,651,505,689
1973 $1,701,829,789 $4,231,243,616
1972 $1,490,970,181 $1,415,086,929
1971 $1,417,191,656 $939,893,600
1970 $1,259,554,809 $685,986,701
1969 $1,168,556,629 -
1968 $1,037,379,252 -
1967 $967,240,655 -
1966 $925,381,492 -
1965 $884,502,310 -
1964 $589,247,687 -
1963 $516,315,231 -
1962 $449,158,233 -
1961 $441,667,335 -
1960 $423,145,605 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Uganda vs United Arab Emirates by year

Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Uganda UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,206 - - -
2024 $1,078 $3,273 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,002 $3,098 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $963 $2,919 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $883 $2,685 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $846 $2,532 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $822 $2,441 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $792 $2,312 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $765 $2,158 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $753 $2,165 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $863 $2,190 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $896 $2,134 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $818 $2,045 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $795 $2,032 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $836 $2,268 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $823 $2,092 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $799 $2,015 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $473 $1,931 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $401 $1,795 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $347 $1,660 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $330 $1,497 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $292.4 $1,405 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $250.7 $1,320 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $242 $1,255 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $236 $1,173 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $258.1 $1,124 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $257.9 $1,100 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $292.5 $1,037 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $286.8 $1,007 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $284.7 $969 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $278.5 $897 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $198.4 $809 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $165.6 $770 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $152.1 $719 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $183 $703 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $245 $666 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $310 - $23,167 -
1988 $395 - $21,570 -
1987 $393 - $23,113 -
1986 $253.6 - $23,132 -
1985 $234.3 - $29,468 -
1984 $247.5 - $32,012 -
1983 $157.5 - $34,650 -
1982 $157 - $39,972 -
1981 $98.6 - $44,855 -
1980 $93.8 - $42,925 -
1979 $164.5 - $34,238 -
1978 $190.7 - $29,379 -
1977 $237.6 - $35,020 -
1976 $203.3 - $31,197 -
1975 $201.2 - $27,117 -
1974 $183.7 - $23,823 -
1973 $152.7 - $9,696 -
1972 $137 - $3,675 -
1971 $133.5 - $2,805 -
1970 $122 - $2,394 -
1969 $116.7 - - -
1968 $106.9 - - -
1967 $102.8 - - -
1966 $101.4 - - -
1965 $100 - - -
1964 $68.6 - - -
1963 $62 - - -
1962 $55.5 - - -
1961 $56.2 - - -
1960 $55.4 - - -

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

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

Uganda's GDP per capita is $1,206, ranking 173/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Uganda UAE
Gross domestic product
$62B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
89/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
6.33%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,206
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
173/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,273
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
176/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$33.6B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
54.2%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$654
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
157/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,595
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
34.5%
2019
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2019
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.2%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.6%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.42%
2021
1.88%
2024
Population
53495325
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Uganda
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Uganda UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.2% 54.2% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 18.4% 51.8% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19.3% 50.4% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 19.5% 49.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 22% 50.3% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 21.4% 46.8% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 18.3% 38% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.2% 35% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 16.3% 33.6% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 15.2% 31.3% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 14.9% 28% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 13.6% 24.8% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 13.3% 22.1% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 13.1% 19.5% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 13.2% 18% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 15.4% 18.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 11.8% 14.8% 35% 21.1%
2008 12.9% 15.7% 22% 8.95%
2007 13.2% 17% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 13.7% 27.8% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 14.5% 42.6% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 15.6% 49% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 16.5% 55.1% 20% 3.33%
2002 16.8% 54.7% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 16.2% 51.4% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 15.2% 48.5% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 14.7% 47.7% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 14% 45.1% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 13.9% 44.2% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 - - 27.6% 3.48%
1995 - - 26.1% 5.06%
1994 - - 30.1% 5.58%
1993 - - 31.5% 6.01%
1992 - - 29.6% 5.31%
1991 - - 36% 4.97%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Uganda's government spending was $13.8B, accounting for 22.2% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 54.2% in Uganda and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 93/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uganda

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uganda UAE
2025 -7.13% 5.15%
2024 -3.93% 6.41%
2023 -4.87% 5.82%
2022 -5.44% 9.8%
2021 -7.76% 3.96%
2020 -7.76% -2.42%
2019 -4.82% 2.5%
2018 -3.02% 3.65%
2017 -3.83% -0.16%
2016 -2.64% -2.95%
2015 -2.59% -6.35%
2014 -2.74% 1.74%
2013 -3.19% 7.99%
2012 -2.39% 8.59%
2011 -2.04% 5.05%
2010 -4.64% 0.52%
2009 -1.61% -6.13%
2008 -1.99% 17.6%
2007 -0.82% 17.1%
2006 -0.64% 20.2%
2005 -0.17% 16%
2004 0.34% 6.4%
2003 -0.97% 2.35%
2002 -2.07% -1.24%
2001 -0.99% 1.21%
2000 -0.62% 10.7%
1999 -1.24% 1.31%
1998 -0.7% 1%
1997 -0.83% 6.71%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 3.58%
1994 - -1.78%
1993 - -2.89%
1992 - 3.34%
1991 - 3.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Uganda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.12B, equivalent to 3.93% of GDP. This compares to the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Uganda recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Uganda posted an annual deficit equal to 2.64% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.9% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Uganda

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Uganda UAE
2025 3.6% 1.3%
2024 3.3% 1.7%
2023 5.4% 1.6%
2022 7.2% 4.8%
2021 2.2% -0.1%
2020 2.8% -2.1%
2019 2.1% -1.9%
2018 2.5% 3.1%
2017 5.6% 2%
2016 5.2% 1.6%
2015 3.7% 4.1%
2014 4.3% 2.3%
2013 5.5% 1.1%
2012 14% 0.7%
2011 18.7% 0.9%
2010 4% 0.9%
2009 13% -4.7%
2008 12% 12.3%
2007 6.1% 11.1%
2006 7.2% 9.3%
2005 8.6% 6.2%
2004 3.7% 5%
2003 8.7% 3.1%
2002 -0.3% 2.9%
2001 1.9% 2.8%
2000 3.4% 1.3%
1999 5.8% 2.1%
1998 5.8% 2%
1997 7.7% 3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Uganda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.99%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 3.6% in Uganda and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Uganda
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $2.53B
Raw agricultural goods $25.1M
Raw materials & minerals $20.7M
Machinery & equipment $11.7M
Animal & marine products $8.76M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.53M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.06M
Chemicals & pharma $736K
Metals $334K
Wood & paper products $82K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $188M
Chemicals & pharma $37.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $23.6M
Raw materials & minerals $20.5M
Metals $17.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $12.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.3M
Wood & paper products $4.32M
Raw agricultural goods $2.42M
Miscellaneous $976K

Balance of trade

Uganda UAE
Current account balance
-$4.19B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.78%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$8.67B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$4.45B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$2.56B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.8%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
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.

Uganda UAE
Economic freedom 52.4 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 149/197 29/197
Property rights 42.2 62.9
Government integrity 25.1 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 29.4 34.4
Tax burden 73.4 99.9
Government spending 89 85.1
Fiscal health 58.3 97.6
Business freedom 50.2 84.5
Labor freedom 55.9 63.2
Monetary freedom 77.1 81.2
Trade freedom 58 78.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Uganda
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Uganda UAE
2026 52.4 71.9
2025 51.3 71.6
2024 50.7 71.1
2023 51.4 70.9
2022 54.2 70.2
2021 58.6 76.9
2020 59.5 76.2
2019 59.7 77.6
2018 62 77.6
2017 60.9 76.9
2016 59.3 72.6
2015 59.7 72.4
2014 59.9 71.4
2013 61.1 71.1
2012 61.9 69.3
2011 61.7 67.8
2010 62.2 67.3
2009 63.5 64.7
2008 63.8 62.6
2007 63.1 62.6
2006 63.9 62.2
2005 62.9 65.2
2004 64.1 67.2
2003 60.1 73.4
2002 61 73.6
2001 60.4 74.9
2000 58.2 74.2
1999 64.8 71.5
1998 64.7 72.2
1997 66.6 71.9
1996 66.2 71.6
1995 62.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Uganda is 52.4, ranking 149/197, 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

Uganda UAE
Services, % of GDP
42.1%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.3%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
26.1%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$57.8B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,410
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.48B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
116/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.26B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.26B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$400K
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.97%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.1%
2023
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
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/uganda/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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, 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.