Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank team

Uganda has a GDP of $53.9B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 89/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Uganda has $27.8B in government debt (51.5% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.9% 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
2024 $53,911,907,086 $552,324,846,835
2023 $48,768,955,863 $522,622,191,967
2022 $45,565,333,211 $511,403,403,676
2021 $40,529,788,749 $422,441,388,700
2020 $37,600,368,242 $357,161,878,829
2019 $35,353,061,003 $433,926,208,305
2018 $32,927,025,620 $440,560,108,918
2017 $30,744,473,841 $403,365,010,211
2016 $29,203,988,696 $381,717,086,453
2015 $32,387,183,730 $381,973,042,886
2014 $32,612,397,257 $424,935,874,745
2013 $28,915,786,517 $409,632,675,289
2012 $27,305,915,911 $392,793,464,942
2011 $27,871,725,241 $368,881,143,635
2010 $26,673,441,431 $307,736,419,333
2009 $25,127,805,567 $253,547,358,747
2008 $14,440,404,132 $315,474,615,739
2007 $11,902,564,495 $257,916,133,424
2006 $9,977,647,683 $222,116,541,865
2005 $9,239,221,763 $180,617,467,965
2004 $7,939,487,548 $147,824,370,320
2003 $6,606,884,275 $124,346,358,067
2002 $6,178,563,591 $109,816,201,498
2001 $5,840,503,869 $103,311,640,572
2000 $6,193,246,837 $104,337,372,362
1999 $5,998,563,258 $84,445,473,111
1998 $6,584,815,847 $75,674,336,283
1997 $6,269,333,313 $78,839,008,445
1996 $6,044,585,327 $73,571,233,996
1995 $5,755,818,842 $65,743,666,576
1994 $3,990,430,447 $59,305,093,980
1993 $3,220,439,044 $55,625,170,253
1992 $2,857,457,762 $54,239,171,888
1991 $3,321,729,160 $51,552,165,622
1990 $4,304,399,310 $50,701,443,748
1989 $5,276,480,799 $41,464,995,914
1988 $6,508,931,652 $36,275,674,203
1987 $6,269,522,042 $36,384,908,744
1986 $3,923,244,050 $33,943,612,095
1985 $3,519,695,444 $40,603,650,232
1984 $3,615,647,477 $41,807,954,236
1983 $2,240,333,333 $42,803,323,345
1982 $2,177,500,000 $46,622,718,605
1981 $1,337,300,000 $49,333,424,135
1980 $1,244,610,000 $43,599,160,050
1979 $2,139,025,000 $31,225,659,621
1978 $2,420,260,870 $23,775,764,225
1977 $2,936,470,588 $24,871,775,165
1976 $2,447,300,000 $19,213,158,779
1975 $2,359,555,556 $14,720,728,249
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 $44,119 $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 - $44,854 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Uganda's GDP per capita is $1,078, ranking 176/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 24/197. 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
$53.9B
2024
$552B
2024
GDP rank
89/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP growth
6.06%
2023-2024
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,078
2024
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
176/197
2024
24/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,273
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
176/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$27.8B
2024
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.5%
2024
34.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$555
2024
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
163/185
2024
36/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,466
2026
$40,522
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.05T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
339,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
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
18.7%
2024
21.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
1.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2024
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.42%
2021
1.88%
2024
Population
53170946
11686438

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
2024 18.7% 51.5% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 19.3% 50.5% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 19.5% 50.2% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 22% 50.3% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 21.4% 46.3% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 18.3% 37.5% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.2% 34.9% 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uganda's government spending was $10.1B, accounting for 18.7% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 21.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 51.5% in Uganda and 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 103/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Uganda

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Uganda UAE
2024 -3.99% 6.41%
2023 -4.87% 5.82%
2022 -5.45% 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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Uganda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.15B, equivalent to 3.99% 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
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Uganda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.08%, compared with 2.75% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Uganda and 1.7% 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 $178M
Chemicals & pharma $39.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $21.6M
Metals $18M
Raw materials & minerals $13.8M
Precious metals & jewellery $11.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.3M
Wood & paper products $2.96M
Raw agricultural goods $2.08M
Miscellaneous $799K

Balance of trade

Uganda UAE
Current account balance
-$4.29B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
164/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.96%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$8.67B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$4.38B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$2.39B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
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.

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 2026-03-09).

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
43.1%
2024
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
$81,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2018
$238B
2024
Total reserves ranking
114/177
2018
14/177
2024
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
2.96%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2019
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.4%
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/uganda/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 (1960–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.