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United Arab Emirates economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

The United Arab Emirates ranked 27/197 by economy size with a GDP of $552B and 24/197 by GDP per capita at $50,274. The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 34.9%.

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates made up 0.5% of the world's economy, compared to 0.02% in 1970.

United Arab Emirates GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $552,324,846,835 3.99%
2023 $522,622,191,967 4.3%
2022 $511,403,403,676 7.51%
2021 $422,441,388,700 4.55%
2020 $357,161,878,829 -8.69%
2019 $433,926,208,305 1.27%
2018 $440,560,108,918 1.54%
2017 $403,365,010,211 -1.06%
2016 $381,717,086,453 5.66%
2015 $381,973,042,886 7.09%
2014 $424,935,874,745 4.63%
2013 $409,632,675,289 4.92%
2012 $392,793,464,942 4.68%
2011 $368,881,143,635 6.74%
2010 $307,736,419,333 1.6%
2009 $253,547,358,747 -5.24%
2008 $315,474,615,739 3.19%
2007 $257,916,133,424 3.18%
2006 $222,116,541,865 9.84%
2005 $180,617,467,965 4.86%
2004 $147,824,370,320 9.57%
2003 $124,346,358,067 8.8%
2002 $109,816,201,498 2.43%
2001 $103,311,640,572 1.4%
2000 $104,337,372,362 10.9%
1999 $84,445,473,111 2.9%
1998 $75,674,336,283 0.29%
1997 $78,839,008,445 8.19%
1996 $73,571,233,996 5.8%
1995 $65,743,666,576 6.69%
1994 $59,305,093,980 6.9%
1993 $55,625,170,253 1.26%
1992 $54,239,171,888 3.34%
1991 $51,552,165,622 0.86%
1990 $50,701,443,748 18.3%
1989 $41,464,995,914 12.3%
1988 $36,275,674,203 -2.62%
1987 $36,384,908,744 3.38%
1986 $33,943,612,095 -15%
1985 $40,603,650,232 -3.59%
1984 $41,807,954,236 4.02%
1983 $42,803,323,345 -4.75%
1982 $46,622,718,605 -6.72%
1981 $49,333,424,135 4.66%
1980 $43,599,160,050 23.9%
1979 $31,225,659,621 20.9%
1978 $23,775,764,225 -1.59%
1977 $24,871,775,165 21.4%
1976 $19,213,158,779 16.5%
1975 $14,720,728,249 6.23%
1974 $11,651,505,689 14.5%
1973 $4,231,243,616 76.6%
1972 $1,415,086,929 39.1%
1971 $939,893,600 36.6%
1970 $685,986,701 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

United Arab Emirates GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $44,119 $68,580
2020 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $23,167 -
1988 $21,570 -
1987 $23,113 -
1986 $23,132 -
1985 $29,468 -
1984 $32,012 -
1983 $34,650 -
1982 $39,972 -
1981 $44,854 -
1980 $42,925 -
1979 $34,238 -
1978 $29,379 -
1977 $35,020 -
1976 $31,197 -
1975 $27,117 -
1974 $23,823 -
1973 $9,696 -
1972 $3,675 -
1971 $2,805 -
1970 $2,394 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP per capita of $50,274, ranking 24/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $79,229, ranking 16/197, and a median annual after tax income of $40,522, ranking 19/197.

United Arab Emirates GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 27 21 13
2023 27 24 13
2022 30 20 14
2021 34 25 11
2020 35 27 8
2019 29 22 5
2018 28 21 5
2017 29 22 5
2016 30 20 5
2015 30 17 5
2014 30 16 3
2013 31 13 3
2012 32 12 3
2011 32 16 3
2010 34 20 3
2009 35 27 4
2008 34 17 3
2007 35 19 3
2006 34 16 2
2005 36 17 2
2004 36 22 2
2003 37 21 2
2002 36 15 2
2001 38 13 1
2000 37 11 1
1999 42 18 1
1998 43 18 1
1997 44 12 1
1996 43 14 1
1995 44 15 1
1994 41 12 1
1993 43 10 1
1992 42 11 1
1991 40 10 1
1990 40 9 1
1989 42 10 -
1988 46 11 -
1987 45 5 -
1986 41 4 -
1985 35 3 -
1984 35 3 -
1983 34 3 -
1982 33 3 -
1981 32 2 -
1980 33 3 -
1979 35 2 -
1978 36 2 -
1977 32 1 -
1976 34 1 -
1975 40 2 -
1974 45 1 -
1973 55 2 -
1972 77 18 -
1971 82 21 -
1970 85 23 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Compared with 2000, in 2024 the United Arab Emirates is ranked 27th out of 182 by GDP (up from 37th), 21st by GDP per capita (down from 11th), and 13th by GDP per capita PPP (down from 1st).

Economic indicators

UAE Rank
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
27/197
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
68/194
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
24/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
16/197
Government debt
$193B
2024
43/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.9%
2024
146/185
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
36/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,522
2026
19/197
Listed domestic companies
154
2024
40/103
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.05T
2024
14/100
Number of millionaires
339,000
2025
24/35
Millionaire frequency
1 in 26
2025
14/35
Number of billionaires
6
2025
44/78
Billionaire frequency
1 in 1,452,577
2025
38/78
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
168/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
91/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
143/195
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
148/195
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
79/106
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
177/196
Population
11686438
86/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 21.4% 34.9% 6.41%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 5.82%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 9.8%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 3.96%
2020 30.5% 30.1% -2.42%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 2.5%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 3.65%
2017 27.2% 21.2% -0.16%
2016 31.7% 18.6% -2.95%
2015 26.4% 15.6% -6.35%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 1.74%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 7.99%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 8.59%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 5.05%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 0.52%
2009 35% 21.1% -6.13%
2008 22% 8.95% 17.6%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 17.1%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 20.2%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 16%
2004 17.7% 4.08% 6.4%
2003 20% 3.33% 2.35%
2002 21.3% 3.43% -1.24%
2001 25.2% 2.69% 1.21%
2000 21.8% 3.12% 10.7%
1999 24.3% 4.73% 1.31%
1998 25.8% 4.18% 1%
1997 22.6% 2.86% 6.71%
1996 27.6% 3.48% 0.92%
1995 26.1% 5.06% 3.58%
1994 30.1% 5.58% -1.78%
1993 31.5% 6.01% -2.89%
1992 29.6% 5.31% 3.34%
1991 36% 4.97% 3.89%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

This chart shows the United Arab Emirates' government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of them, with an average annual surplus equal to 4.25% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $118B (21.4% of GDP), with a surplus of 6.41%.

The national debt reached $193B, ranking 43rd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 34.9%, ranking 146th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 1.7%
2023 1.6%
2022 4.8%
2021 -0.1%
2020 -2.1%
2019 -1.9%
2018 3.1%
2017 2%
2016 1.6%
2015 4.1%
2014 2.3%
2013 1.1%
2012 0.7%
2011 0.9%
2010 0.9%
2009 -4.7%
2008 12.3%
2007 11.1%
2006 9.3%
2005 6.2%
2004 5%
2003 3.1%
2002 2.9%
2001 2.8%
2000 1.3%
1999 2.1%
1998 2%
1997 3%
1996 3%
1995 4.3%
1994 5.7%
1993 5.3%
1992 6.4%
1991 3.4%
1990 0.6%
1989 2.8%
1988 5%
1987 5.5%
1986 5.4%
1985 3.5%
1984 2.4%
1983 1.3%
1982 7.1%
1981 7.9%
1980 10.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 20 years, the United Arab Emirates has had an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%. In 2024, inflation was 1.7%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

UAE Rank
Current account balance
$80B
2024
9/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
12/190
Goods imports
$400B
2024
15/189
Goods exports
$467B
2024
14/189
Service imports
$117B
2024
19/189
Service exports
$181B
2024
13/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
14/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
7/193

United Arab Emirates top 10 trading partners

The United Arab Emirates' biggest trading partner accounting for 13.2% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$68.1B: the UAE exports $9.29B worth of goods and services to China and imports $77.4B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of the United Arab Emirates.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $86.7B 13.2% $9.29B $77.4B Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment
2 India $55.5B 8.47% $25B $30.4B Precious metals & jewellery Precious metals & jewellery
3 United States $40.4B 6.17% $13.5B $26.9B Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment
4 Saudi Arabia $37.3B 5.7% $29.5B $7.87B Machinery & equipment Chemicals & pharma
5 Turkey $36.4B 5.56% $18.7B $17.7B Precious metals & jewellery Precious metals & jewellery
6 Iraq $28.4B 4.33% $22.7B $5.65B Machinery & equipment Raw materials & minerals
7 Switzerland $22.3B 3.41% $11.1B $11.2B Precious metals & jewellery Precious metals & jewellery
8 Japan $17.3B 2.64% $2.13B $15.2B Metals Machinery & equipment
9 Oman $13.9B 2.12% $10.9B $2.98B Machinery & equipment Raw materials & minerals
10 Germany $13.1B 2% $1.76B $11.3B Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

UAE Rank
Raw materials & minerals $286B 2/193
Transport & tourism services $109B 6/188
Precious metals & jewellery $92.6B 2/190
Machinery & equipment $92.4B 22/193
Business & finance services $29B 19/188
Metals $22B 20/192
Chemicals & pharma $20.4B 29/193
Miscellaneous $18.5B 10/191
Textiles & consumer goods $13.2B 25/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.1B 20/192

Top 10 imports

UAE Rank
Machinery & equipment $148B 15/193
Precious metals & jewellery $119B 3/193
Miscellaneous $79.6B 2/193
Transport & tourism services $44.9B 18/188
Business & finance services $38.9B 16/188
Raw materials & minerals $28.8B 24/193
Chemicals & pharma $25.5B 29/193
Textiles & consumer goods $22.8B 19/193
Metals $19.2B 24/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10B 25/193

Economic freedom indices

UAE Rank
Economic freedom 71.9 29/197
Property rights 62.9 62/182
Government integrity 65.3 35/182
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 115/182
Tax burden 99.9 4/182
Government spending 85.1 48/180
Fiscal health 97.6 12/181
Business freedom 84.5 14/182
Labor freedom 63.2 30/182
Monetary freedom 81.2 9/180
Trade freedom 78.6 58/181
Investment freedom 50 125/181
Financial freedom 60 68/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 71.9 34.4 99.9 85.1 97.6
2025 71.6 35.2 96.9 82.3 97.9
2024 71.1 35.2 100 78.4 98.1
2023 70.9 68.8 100 71.6 96.4
2022 70.2 35.4 100 71.5 92.8
2021 76.9 81.1 100 73 98.5
2020 76.2 84.6 99.2 72.1 94.1
2019 77.6 87.1 99.2 68.8 88.9
2018 77.6 83.4 98.4 70.9 99
2017 76.9 85 96.4 67.4 99.2
2016 72.6 - 95 76.1 -
2015 72.4 - 99.5 85.8 -
2014 71.4 - 99.6 83.1 -
2013 71.1 - 99.9 85.1 -
2012 69.3 - 99.9 80.1 -
2011 67.8 - 99.9 79.1 -
2010 67.3 - 99.9 80.9 -
2009 64.7 - 99.9 86.3 -
2008 62.6 - 99.9 80.2 -
2007 62.6 - 99.9 82.3 -
2006 62.2 - 99.3 76.1 -
2005 65.2 - 99.9 70.2 -
2004 67.2 - 99.9 58 -
2003 73.4 - 99.9 68.1 -
2002 73.6 - 99.9 58.3 -
2001 74.9 - 99.9 51.3 -
2000 74.2 - 99.9 65.7 -
1999 71.5 - 99.9 43 -
1998 72.2 - 99.9 51 -
1997 71.9 - 99.9 49.1 -
1996 71.6 - 99.9 47.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The United Arab Emirates is ranked 23/174 for economic freedom with a score of 71.9, compared to 61/162 and a score of 62.2 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

UAE Rank
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
108/191
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
11/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
179/193
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
26/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,530
2024
12/191
Total reserves including gold
$238B
2024
14/177
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
9/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
10/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
7/193
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
106/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
54/178

Compare United Arab Emirates vs other countries

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.

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.