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

Updated on by Georank team

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP of $552B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 27/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt (34.9% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

United Arab Emirates vs Yemen GDP by year

United Arab Emirates
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
UAE Yemen
2024 $552,324,846,835 -
2023 $522,622,191,967 -
2022 $511,403,403,676 -
2021 $422,441,388,700 -
2020 $357,161,878,829 -
2019 $433,926,208,305 -
2018 $440,560,108,918 $21,606,160,663
2017 $403,365,010,211 $26,842,229,045
2016 $381,717,086,453 $31,317,825,274
2015 $381,973,042,886 $42,444,490,074
2014 $424,935,874,745 $43,228,585,321
2013 $409,632,675,289 $40,415,233,436
2012 $392,793,464,942 $35,401,331,610
2011 $368,881,143,635 $32,726,417,878
2010 $307,736,419,333 $30,906,749,533
2009 $253,547,358,747 $25,130,278,213
2008 $315,474,615,739 $26,910,855,807
2007 $257,916,133,424 $21,650,528,674
2006 $222,116,541,865 $19,063,143,370
2005 $180,617,467,965 $16,731,566,717
2004 $147,824,370,320 $13,867,634,371
2003 $124,346,358,067 $11,777,532,662
2002 $109,816,201,498 $10,693,430,511
2001 $103,311,640,572 $9,852,990,693
2000 $104,337,372,362 $9,679,316,770
1999 $84,445,473,111 $7,639,325,296
1998 $75,674,336,283 $6,322,175,566
1997 $78,839,008,445 $6,838,298,531
1996 $73,571,233,996 $6,496,163,616
1995 $65,743,666,576 $12,796,345,679
1994 $59,305,093,980 $28,019,483,764
1993 $55,625,170,253 $21,736,802,664
1992 $54,239,171,888 $17,959,367,194
1991 $51,552,165,622 $14,665,445,462
1990 $50,701,443,748 $12,643,821,569
1989 $41,464,995,914 -
1988 $36,275,674,203 -
1987 $36,384,908,744 -
1986 $33,943,612,095 -
1985 $40,603,650,232 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in United Arab Emirates vs Yemen by year

United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
UAE Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP 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 $634 -
2017 $43,734 $70,282 $811 -
2016 $42,721 $69,987 $975 -
2015 $44,910 $73,986 $1,362 -
2014 $52,725 $87,478 $1,430 -
2013 $53,247 $87,526 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $53,142 $89,198 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $51,922 $89,665 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $44,795 $85,120 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $37,803 $84,780 $969 $3,411
2008 $50,054 $94,628 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $45,855 $100,813 $890 $3,294
2006 $44,343 $106,814 $810 $3,205
2005 $38,719 $101,301 $734 $3,113
2004 $33,377 $98,661 $628 $2,949
2003 $29,660 $92,636 $549 $2,844
2002 $27,754 $88,467 $513 $2,768
2001 $27,745 $90,370 $487 $2,702
2000 $29,866 $92,899 $493 $2,624
1999 $25,856 $87,658 $401 $2,492
1998 $24,889 $90,229 $343 $2,442
1997 $27,983 $96,009 $383 $2,351
1996 $28,323 $94,620 $375 $2,268
1995 $27,003 $93,702 $764 $2,201
1994 $25,473 $89,959 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $25,033 $86,330 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $25,648 $87,509 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $25,691 $87,250 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $26,710 $88,455 $910 $1,742
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/yemen | CC BY

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $50,274, ranking 24/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

UAE Yemen
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
27/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
24/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
16/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$193B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.9%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
36/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,522
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.05T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
339,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
11686438
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
UAE Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 21.4% 34.9% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 30.5% 30.1% 10.6% 87%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 27.2% 21.2% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 31.7% 18.6% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 26.4% 15.6% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 35% 21.1% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 22% 8.95% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 17.7% 4.08% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 20% 3.33% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 21.3% 3.43% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 25.2% 2.69% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 21.8% 3.12% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 24.3% 4.73% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 25.8% 4.18% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 22.6% 2.86% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 27.6% 3.48% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 26.1% 5.06% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 30.1% 5.58% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 31.5% 6.01% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 29.6% 5.31% 24.6% 78%
1991 36% 4.97% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 - - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the United Arab Emirates' government spending was $118B, accounting for 21.4% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.9% in the United Arab Emirates and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 146/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United Arab Emirates

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
UAE Yemen
2024 6.41% -2.48%
2023 5.82% -5.63%
2022 9.8% -2.15%
2021 3.96% -0.89%
2020 -2.42% -4.3%
2019 2.5% -5.89%
2018 3.65% -7.85%
2017 -0.16% -4.9%
2016 -2.95% -8.51%
2015 -6.35% -8.75%
2014 1.74% -4.14%
2013 7.99% -6.9%
2012 8.59% -6.32%
2011 5.05% -4.51%
2010 0.52% -4.06%
2009 -6.13% -10.2%
2008 17.6% -4.53%
2007 17.1% -7.18%
2006 20.2% 1.19%
2005 16% -1.82%
2004 6.4% -2.15%
2003 2.35% -4.2%
2002 -1.24% -0.56%
2001 1.21% 2.79%
2000 10.7% 6.09%
1999 1.31% 0.06%
1998 1% -7.77%
1997 6.71% -1.5%
1996 0.92% -0.92%
1995 3.58% -5.74%
1994 -1.78% -14%
1993 -2.89% -12.8%
1992 3.34% -10.9%
1991 3.89% -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2018, the United Arab Emirates' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.1B, equivalent to 3.65% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 7 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the United Arab Emirates posted an annual surplus equal to 4.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.85% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United Arab Emirates

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
UAE Yemen
2024 1.7% 33.9%
2023 1.6% 0.9%
2022 4.8% 29.5%
2021 -0.1% 31.5%
2020 -2.1% 21.7%
2019 -1.9% 15.7%
2018 3.1% 33.6%
2017 2% 30.4%
2016 1.6% 21.3%
2015 4.1% 22%
2014 2.3% 8.2%
2013 1.1% 11%
2012 0.7% 9.9%
2011 0.9% 19.5%
2010 0.9% 11.2%
2009 -4.7% 3.7%
2008 12.3% 19%
2007 11.1% 7.9%
2006 9.3% 10.8%
2005 6.2% 9.9%
2004 5% 12.5%
2003 3.1% 10.8%
2002 2.9% 12.2%
2001 2.8% 11.9%
2000 1.3% 11%
1999 2.1% 7.9%
1998 2% 11.5%
1997 3% 4.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the United Arab Emirates has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in the United Arab Emirates and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

UAE
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $484M
Machinery & equipment $285M
Raw materials & minerals $196M
Chemicals & pharma $186M
Raw agricultural goods $181M
Animal & marine products $175M
Precious metals & jewellery $90.2M
Metals $77.9M
Wood & paper products $23.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $23M
Yemen
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16.8M
Metals $2.26M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.66M
Raw agricultural goods $1.04M
Raw materials & minerals $981K
Chemicals & pharma $344K
Wood & paper products $253K
Animal & marine products $214K
Textiles & consumer goods $120K
Miscellaneous $49K

Balance of trade

UAE Yemen
Current account balance
$80B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
9/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$400B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$467B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$117B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$181B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

UAE Yemen
Economic freedom 71.9 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 29/197 138/197
Property rights 62.9 3.5
Government integrity 65.3 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 9.9
Tax burden 99.9 93.7
Government spending 85.1 0
Fiscal health 97.6 71.2
Business freedom 84.5 31.3
Labor freedom 63.2 31.2
Monetary freedom 81.2 48.1
Trade freedom 78.6 67.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
UAE Yemen
2026 71.9 -
2025 71.6 -
2024 71.1 -
2023 70.9 -
2022 70.2 -
2021 76.9 -
2020 76.2 -
2019 77.6 -
2018 77.6 -
2017 76.9 -
2016 72.6 -
2015 72.4 53.7
2014 71.4 55.5
2013 71.1 55.9
2012 69.3 55.3
2011 67.8 54.2
2010 67.3 54.4
2009 64.7 56.9
2008 62.6 53.8
2007 62.6 54.1
2006 62.2 52.6
2005 65.2 53.8
2004 67.2 50.5
2003 73.4 50.3
2002 73.6 48.6
2001 74.9 44.3
2000 74.2 44.5
1999 71.5 43.3
1998 72.2 46.1
1997 71.9 48.4
1996 71.6 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the United Arab Emirates is 71.9, ranking 29/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

UAE Yemen
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,530
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$238B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
14/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1990–2024, 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 (2015–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, 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.