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

Updated on by Georank team

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP of $552B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 27/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt (34.9% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

United Arab Emirates vs Uruguay GDP by year

United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
UAE Uruguay
2024 $552,324,846,835 $80,961,511,074
2023 $522,622,191,967 $77,991,666,838
2022 $511,403,403,676 $70,594,110,920
2021 $422,441,388,700 $60,739,084,241
2020 $357,161,878,829 $53,559,359,262
2019 $433,926,208,305 $62,222,313,619
2018 $440,560,108,918 $65,344,577,416
2017 $403,365,010,211 $65,005,997,963
2016 $381,717,086,453 $57,480,787,465
2015 $381,973,042,886 $57,680,327,999
2014 $424,935,874,745 $61,496,186,974
2013 $409,632,675,289 $61,337,621,934
2012 $392,793,464,942 $54,232,266,359
2011 $368,881,143,635 $50,342,406,067
2010 $307,736,419,333 $41,950,361,212
2009 $253,547,358,747 $32,708,319,078
2008 $315,474,615,739 $31,119,602,539
2007 $257,916,133,424 $23,797,773,024
2006 $222,116,541,865 $19,741,420,740
2005 $180,617,467,965 $17,362,857,684
2004 $147,824,370,320 $13,686,329,890
2003 $124,346,358,067 $12,045,638,352
2002 $109,816,201,498 $13,606,515,723
2001 $103,311,640,572 $20,898,761,742
2000 $104,337,372,362 $22,823,270,892
1999 $84,445,473,111 $23,983,945,191
1998 $75,674,336,283 $25,385,886,978
1997 $78,839,008,445 $23,969,739,234
1996 $73,571,233,996 $20,515,458,114
1995 $65,743,666,576 $19,297,663,097
1994 $59,305,093,980 $17,474,588,896
1993 $55,625,170,253 $15,002,136,971
1992 $54,239,171,888 $12,878,148,791
1991 $51,552,165,622 $11,206,176,651
1990 $50,701,443,748 $9,298,807,850
1989 $41,464,995,914 $8,438,951,476
1988 $36,275,674,203 $8,213,538,369
1987 $36,384,908,744 $7,367,494,080
1986 $33,943,612,095 $5,880,112,788
1985 $40,603,650,232 $4,732,017,873
1984 $41,807,954,236 $4,850,238,550
1983 $42,803,323,345 $5,102,276,308
1982 $46,622,718,605 $9,178,780,077
1981 $49,333,424,135 $11,048,301,421
1980 $43,599,160,050 $10,163,020,116
1979 $31,225,659,621 $7,181,182,224
1978 $23,775,764,225 $4,910,254,566
1977 $24,871,775,165 $4,114,670,014
1976 $19,213,158,779 $3,667,161,241
1975 $14,720,728,249 $3,538,278,047
1974 $11,651,505,689 $4,090,209,682
1973 $4,231,243,616 $3,964,296,443
1972 $1,415,086,929 $2,189,418,689
1971 $939,893,600 $2,807,258,065
1970 $685,986,701 $2,137,096,774
1969 - $2,004,435,484
1968 - $1,593,674,185
1967 - $1,597,713,469
1966 - $1,809,185,094
1965 - $1,890,767,156
1964 - $1,975,701,816
1963 - $1,539,681,491
1962 - $1,710,004,407
1961 - $1,547,388,781
1960 - $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in United Arab Emirates vs Uruguay by year

United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
UAE Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $50,274 $79,229 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $49,851 $77,955 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $50,760 $75,072 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $44,119 $68,580 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $37,992 $66,791 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $45,939 $79,816 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $47,135 $77,446 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $43,734 $70,282 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $42,721 $69,987 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $44,910 $73,986 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $52,725 $87,478 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $53,247 $87,526 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $53,142 $89,198 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $51,922 $89,665 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $44,795 $85,120 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $37,803 $84,780 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $50,054 $94,628 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $45,855 $100,813 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $44,343 $106,814 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $38,719 $101,301 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $33,377 $98,661 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $29,660 $92,636 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $27,754 $88,467 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $27,745 $90,370 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $29,866 $92,899 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $25,856 $87,658 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $24,889 $90,229 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $27,983 $96,009 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $28,323 $94,620 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $27,003 $93,702 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $25,473 $89,959 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $25,033 $86,330 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $25,648 $87,509 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $25,691 $87,250 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $26,710 $88,455 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $23,167 - $2,734 -
1988 $21,570 - $2,677 -
1987 $23,113 - $2,416 -
1986 $23,132 - $1,939 -
1985 $29,468 - $1,568 -
1984 $32,012 - $1,615 -
1983 $34,650 - $1,707 -
1982 $39,972 - $3,085 -
1981 $44,854 - $3,728 -
1980 $42,925 - $3,443 -
1979 $34,238 - $2,443 -
1978 $29,379 - $1,678 -
1977 $35,020 - $1,414 -
1976 $31,197 - $1,268 -
1975 $27,117 - $1,232 -
1974 $23,823 - $1,433 -
1973 $9,696 - $1,397 -
1972 $3,675 - $776 -
1971 $2,805 - $1,000 -
1970 $2,394 - $766 -
1969 - - $723 -
1968 - - $579 -
1967 - - $585 -
1966 - - $668 -
1965 - - $705 -
1964 - - $745 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $659 -
1961 - - $604 -
1960 - - $491 -

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

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

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $50,274, ranking 24/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

UAE Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
27/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
24/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
16/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$193B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.9%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
36/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,522
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.05T
2024
$284M
1996
Number of millionaires
339,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
8.21%
2024
Population
11686438
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
UAE Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.4% 34.9% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 30.5% 64%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 30% 59.9%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 30.5% 30.1% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 27.2% 21.2% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 31.7% 18.6% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 26.4% 15.6% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 28.8% 50%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 35% 21.1% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 22% 8.95% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 17.7% 4.08% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 20% 3.33% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 21.3% 3.43% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 25.2% 2.69% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 21.8% 3.12% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 24.3% 4.73% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 25.8% 4.18% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 22.6% 2.86% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 27.6% 3.48% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 26.1% 5.06% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 30.1% 5.58% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 31.5% 6.01% 27.7% 20%
1992 29.6% 5.31% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 36% 4.97% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 - - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates' government spending was $118B, accounting for 21.4% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 146/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United Arab Emirates

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
UAE Uruguay
2024 6.41% -3.22%
2023 5.82% -3.13%
2022 9.8% -2.52%
2021 3.96% -2.61%
2020 -2.42% -4.64%
2019 2.5% -2.71%
2018 3.65% -1.89%
2017 -0.16% -2.51%
2016 -2.95% -2.68%
2015 -6.35% -1.86%
2014 1.74% -2.6%
2013 7.99% -1.72%
2012 8.59% -2.17%
2011 5.05% -0.33%
2010 0.52% -0.39%
2009 -6.13% -1.39%
2008 17.6% -1.31%
2007 17.1% -0.16%
2006 20.2% -0.64%
2005 16% -0.28%
2004 6.4% -0.87%
2003 2.35% -2.19%
2002 -1.24% -3.19%
2001 1.21% -2.85%
2000 10.7% -2.76%
1999 1.31% -2.76%
1998 1% -0.76%
1997 6.71% -0.97%
1996 0.92% -1.32%
1995 3.58% -1.08%
1994 -1.78% -2.37%
1993 -2.89% -0.47%
1992 3.34% 0.6%
1991 3.89% 0.88%
1990 - 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $35.4B, equivalent to 6.41% of GDP. This compares to Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 8 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, the United Arab Emirates posted an annual surplus equal to 4.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.73% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United Arab Emirates

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
UAE Uruguay
2024 1.7% 4.85%
2023 1.6% 5.87%
2022 4.8% 9.1%
2021 -0.1% 7.75%
2020 -2.1% 9.76%
2019 -1.9% 7.88%
2018 3.1% 7.61%
2017 2% 6.22%
2016 1.6% 9.64%
2015 4.1% 8.67%
2014 2.3% 8.88%
2013 1.1% 8.58%
2012 0.7% 8.1%
2011 0.9% 8.09%
2010 0.9% 6.7%
2009 -4.7% 7.06%
2008 12.3% 7.88%
2007 11.1% 8.11%
2006 9.3% 6.4%
2005 6.2% 4.7%
2004 5% 9.16%
2003 3.1% 19.4%
2002 2.9% 14%
2001 2.8% 4.36%
2000 1.3% 4.76%
1999 2.1% 5.66%
1998 2% 10.8%
1997 3% 19.8%

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/united-arab-emirates/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the United Arab Emirates has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

UAE
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $5.54M
Machinery & equipment $3M
Textiles & consumer goods $708K
Metals $571K
Raw materials & minerals $557K
Animal & marine products $282K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $259K
Raw agricultural goods $74K
Wood & paper products $74K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $14.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.12M
Chemicals & pharma $1.62M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.22M
Wood & paper products $580K
Metals $366K
Raw agricultural goods $263K
Machinery & equipment $48K
Precious metals & jewellery $20K

Balance of trade

UAE Uruguay
Current account balance
$80B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
9/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$400B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$467B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$117B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$181B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

UAE Uruguay
Economic freedom 71.9 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 29/197 39/197
Property rights 62.9 87.4
Government integrity 65.3 79
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 80.9
Tax burden 99.9 73.3
Government spending 85.1 72
Fiscal health 97.6 76.6
Business freedom 84.5 83.8
Labor freedom 63.2 61.7
Monetary freedom 81.2 70.2
Trade freedom 78.6 73.2
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
UAE Uruguay
2026 71.9 69.8
2025 71.6 70.2
2024 71.1 69.8
2023 70.9 70.2
2022 70.2 70
2021 76.9 69.3
2020 76.2 69.1
2019 77.6 68.6
2018 77.6 69.2
2017 76.9 69.7
2016 72.6 68.8
2015 72.4 68.6
2014 71.4 69.3
2013 71.1 69.7
2012 69.3 69.9
2011 67.8 70
2010 67.3 69.8
2009 64.7 69.1
2008 62.6 67.9
2007 62.6 68.4
2006 62.2 65.3
2005 65.2 66.9
2004 67.2 66.7
2003 73.4 69.8
2002 73.6 68.7
2001 74.9 70.7
2000 74.2 69.3
1999 71.5 68.5
1998 72.2 68.6
1997 71.9 67.5
1996 71.6 63.7
1995 - 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the United Arab Emirates is 71.9, ranking 29/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

UAE Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,530
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$238B
2024
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
14/177
2024
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
15.6%
2024

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/uruguay | 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 (1955–1998, 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.

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.