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

Updated on by Georank team

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP of $552B compared to $476B for Vietnam, ranking 27/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt (34.9% of GDP), compared to $149B (31.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

United Arab Emirates vs Vietnam GDP by year

United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
UAE Vietnam
2024 $552,324,846,835 $476,388,230,307
2023 $522,622,191,967 $433,857,681,378
2022 $511,403,403,676 $413,445,230,669
2021 $422,441,388,700 $366,474,752,771
2020 $357,161,878,829 $346,615,738,538
2019 $433,926,208,305 $334,365,270,497
2018 $440,560,108,918 $310,106,478,395
2017 $403,365,010,211 $281,353,605,987
2016 $381,717,086,453 $257,096,001,178
2015 $381,973,042,886 $239,258,328,382
2014 $424,935,874,745 $233,451,469,643
2013 $409,632,675,289 $213,708,811,665
2012 $392,793,464,942 $195,590,661,129
2011 $368,881,143,635 $172,595,049,184
2010 $307,736,419,333 $147,201,173,197
2009 $253,547,358,747 $106,014,659,565
2008 $315,474,615,739 $99,130,304,099
2007 $257,916,133,424 $77,414,425,532
2006 $222,116,541,865 $66,371,664,817
2005 $180,617,467,965 $57,633,255,738
2004 $147,824,370,320 $45,427,854,693
2003 $124,346,358,067 $39,552,513,232
2002 $109,816,201,498 $35,064,105,501
2001 $103,311,640,572 $32,685,198,809
2000 $104,337,372,362 $31,172,518,403
1999 $84,445,473,111 $28,683,659,007
1998 $75,674,336,283 $27,209,602,050
1997 $78,839,008,445 $26,843,700,442
1996 $73,571,233,996 $24,657,470,575
1995 $65,743,666,576 $20,736,164,459
1994 $59,305,093,980 $16,286,433,533
1993 $55,625,170,253 $13,180,953,598
1992 $54,239,171,888 $9,866,990,236
1991 $51,552,165,622 $9,613,369,520
1990 $50,701,443,748 $6,471,740,806
1989 $41,464,995,914 $6,293,304,975
1988 $36,275,674,203 $25,423,812,649
1987 $36,384,908,744 $36,658,108,850
1986 $33,943,612,095 $26,336,616,250
1985 $40,603,650,232 $14,094,687,821
1984 $41,807,954,236 -
1983 $42,803,323,345 -
1982 $46,622,718,605 -
1981 $49,333,424,135 -
1980 $43,599,160,050 -
1979 $31,225,659,621 -
1978 $23,775,764,225 -
1977 $24,871,775,165 -
1976 $19,213,158,779 -
1975 $14,720,728,249 -
1974 $11,651,505,689 -
1973 $4,231,243,616 -
1972 $1,415,086,929 -
1971 $939,893,600 -
1970 $685,986,701 -

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

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

GDP per capita in United Arab Emirates vs Vietnam by year

United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
UAE Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $50,274 $79,229 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $49,851 $77,955 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $50,760 $75,072 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $44,119 $68,580 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $37,992 $66,791 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $45,939 $79,816 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $47,135 $77,446 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $43,734 $70,282 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $42,721 $69,987 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $44,910 $73,986 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $52,725 $87,478 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $53,247 $87,526 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $53,142 $89,198 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $51,922 $89,665 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $44,795 $85,120 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $37,803 $84,780 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $50,054 $94,628 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $45,855 $100,813 $926 $4,581
2006 $44,343 $106,814 $808 $4,237
2005 $38,719 $101,301 $711 $3,894
2004 $33,377 $98,661 $565 $3,543
2003 $29,660 $92,636 $497 $3,240
2002 $27,754 $88,467 $445 $3,002
2001 $27,745 $90,370 $419 $2,809
2000 $29,866 $92,899 $404 $2,614
1999 $25,856 $87,658 $376 $2,421
1998 $24,889 $90,229 $361 $2,308
1997 $27,983 $96,009 $362 $2,189
1996 $28,323 $94,620 $337 $2,019
1995 $27,003 $93,702 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $25,473 $89,959 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $25,033 $86,330 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $25,648 $87,509 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $25,691 $87,250 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $26,710 $88,455 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $23,167 - $98.1 -
1988 $21,570 - $405 -
1987 $23,113 - $595 -
1986 $23,132 - $436 -
1985 $29,468 - $238.6 -
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/vietnam | CC BY

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $50,274, ranking 24/197, compared to $4,717 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

UAE Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
$476B
2024
GDP rank
27/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
7.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
$4,717
2024
GDP per capita rank
24/197
2024
122/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
16/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$193B
2024
$149B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.9%
2024
31.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
$1,475
2024
Government debt per person rank
36/185
2024
132/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,522
2026
$4,020
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.05T
2024
$205B
2024
Number of millionaires
339,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
3.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
1.53%
2024
Population
11686438
102365351

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
UAE Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.4% 34.9% 19.1% 31.3%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 30.5% 30.1% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 19.8% 41%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 27.2% 21.2% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 31.7% 18.6% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 26.4% 15.6% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 35% 21.1% 25% 36.2%
2008 22% 8.95% 21.4% 31%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 17.7% 4.08% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 20% 3.33% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 21.3% 3.43% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 25.2% 2.69% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 21.8% 3.12% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 24.3% 4.73% 16.7% -
1998 25.8% 4.18% 16% -
1997 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/united-arab-emirates/vietnam | CC BY

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates' government spending was $118B, accounting for 21.4% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $91.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates and 31.3% in Vietnam, ranking 146/185 and 156/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United Arab Emirates

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
UAE Vietnam
2024 6.41% -1.54%
2023 5.82% -1.72%
2022 9.8% 0.67%
2021 3.96% -1.43%
2020 -2.42% -2.86%
2019 2.5% -0.4%
2018 3.65% -1.02%
2017 -0.16% -1.96%
2016 -2.95% -3.16%
2015 -6.35% -4.98%
2014 1.74% -5.02%
2013 7.99% -5.96%
2012 8.59% -5.46%
2011 5.05% -0.9%
2010 0.52% -2.25%
2009 -6.13% -4.82%
2008 17.6% -0.45%
2007 17.1% -1.74%
2006 20.2% 0.2%
2005 16% -0.95%
2004 6.4% -0.15%
2003 2.35% -2.56%
2002 -1.24% -1.85%
2001 1.21% -2.19%
2000 10.7% -1.61%
1999 1.31% -1.25%
1998 1% -0.1%
1997 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/united-arab-emirates/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $7.32B, or 1.54% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 6 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, the United Arab Emirates posted an annual surplus equal to 4.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United Arab Emirates

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
UAE Vietnam
2024 1.7% 3.6%
2023 1.6% 3.3%
2022 4.8% 3.2%
2021 -0.1% 1.8%
2020 -2.1% 3.2%
2019 -1.9% 2.8%
2018 3.1% 3.5%
2017 2% 3.5%
2016 1.6% 2.7%
2015 4.1% 0.6%
2014 2.3% 4.1%
2013 1.1% 6.6%
2012 0.7% 9.1%
2011 0.9% 18.7%
2010 0.9% 9.1%
2009 -4.7% 6.7%
2008 12.3% 23.3%
2007 11.1% 8.4%
2006 9.3% 7.7%
2005 6.2% 8.3%
2004 5% 7.8%
2003 3.1% 3.1%
2002 2.9% 3.8%
2001 2.8% -0.4%
2000 1.3% -1.8%
1999 2.1% 4.1%
1998 2% 8.1%
1997 3% 3.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, the United Arab Emirates has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 5.64% in Vietnam. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates and 3.6% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $563M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $277M
Chemicals & pharma $101M
Raw materials & minerals $38.8M
Metals $38.2M
Raw agricultural goods $23M
Textiles & consumer goods $20.4M
Wood & paper products $7.26M
Precious metals & jewellery $2.33M
Animal & marine products $599K
Vietnam
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.96B
Textiles & consumer goods $410M
Raw agricultural goods $268M
Raw materials & minerals $173M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $49.9M
Chemicals & pharma $49.6M
Metals $38.4M
Animal & marine products $34.7M
Wood & paper products $17.2M
Miscellaneous $5.88M

Balance of trade

UAE Vietnam
Current account balance
$80B
2024
$28B
2024
Current account balance ranking
9/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+5.89%
2024
Goods imports
$400B
2024
$362B
2024
Goods exports
$467B
2024
$406B
2024
Service imports
$117B
2024
$36.2B
2024
Service exports
$181B
2024
$23.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
83.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
90.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

UAE Vietnam
Economic freedom 71.9 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 29/197 73/197
Property rights 62.9 47.3
Government integrity 65.3 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 31.3
Tax burden 99.9 80.9
Government spending 85.1 89.5
Fiscal health 97.6 96.9
Business freedom 84.5 70
Labor freedom 63.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 81.2 73.2
Trade freedom 78.6 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
UAE Vietnam
2026 71.9 64.4
2025 71.6 65.2
2024 71.1 62.8
2023 70.9 61.8
2022 70.2 60.6
2021 76.9 61.7
2020 76.2 58.8
2019 77.6 55.3
2018 77.6 53.1
2017 76.9 52.4
2016 72.6 54
2015 72.4 51.7
2014 71.4 50.8
2013 71.1 51
2012 69.3 51.3
2011 67.8 51.6
2010 67.3 49.8
2009 64.7 51
2008 62.6 50.4
2007 62.6 49.8
2006 62.2 50.5
2005 65.2 48.1
2004 67.2 46.1
2003 73.4 46.2
2002 73.6 45.6
2001 74.9 44.3
2000 74.2 43.7
1999 71.5 42.7
1998 72.2 40.4
1997 71.9 38.6
1996 71.6 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the United Arab Emirates is 71.9, ranking 29/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

UAE Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
37.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
11.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
$454B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,530
2024
$15,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$238B
2024
$83.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
14/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
30.6%
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/vietnam | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023, 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.