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

Updated on by Georank

The United Arab Emirates has a GDP of $552B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 31/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

The United Arab Emirates has $193B in government debt (34.3% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

United Arab Emirates vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

United Arab Emirates
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
UAE Zimbabwe
2025 - $51,215,643,906
2024 $552,324,919,096 $41,521,975,830
2023 $522,622,268,401 $35,871,781,303
2022 $511,403,404,642 $40,757,585,309
2021 $422,441,282,436 $41,287,852,524
2020 $357,161,776,271 $31,979,753,645
2019 $433,926,218,686 $33,360,632,553
2018 $440,560,003,161 $34,141,666,667
2017 $403,365,056,079 $51,035,657,371
2016 $381,717,208,621 $20,559,250,000
2015 $381,973,135,513 $19,973,250,000
2014 $424,935,834,104 $19,505,500,000
2013 $409,632,574,703 $19,100,750,000
2012 $392,793,559,051 $17,123,500,000
2011 $368,881,033,963 $14,109,000,000
2010 $307,736,348,527 $12,047,750,000
2009 $253,547,358,747 $9,670,750,000
2008 $315,474,615,741 $4,418,000,000
2007 $257,916,148,767 $5,294,750,000
2006 $222,116,532,963 $5,446,750,000
2005 $180,617,467,954 $5,758,250,000
2004 $147,824,249,958 $5,808,500,000
2003 $124,346,476,180 $5,730,500,000
2002 $109,816,091,079 $6,345,250,000
2001 $103,311,631,797 $6,780,750,000
2000 $104,337,463,730 $6,693,250,000
1999 $84,445,399,335 $6,861,500,000
1998 $75,674,384,205 $6,405,250,000
1997 $78,838,886,862 $8,534,000,000
1996 $73,571,217,377 $8,557,500,000
1995 $65,743,604,966 $7,115,000,000
1994 $59,305,111,228 $6,894,250,000
1993 $55,625,269,485 $6,567,250,000
1992 $54,239,188,746 $6,755,000,000
1991 $51,552,058,250 $8,646,000,000
1990 $50,701,374,187 $8,788,301,546
1989 $41,464,966,302 $8,290,553,535
1988 $36,275,613,877 $7,818,774,177
1987 $36,384,802,310 $6,744,657,033
1986 $33,943,568,481 $6,220,698,247
1985 $40,603,631,079 $5,640,137,575
1984 $41,807,931,453 $6,355,369,172
1983 $42,803,373,390 $7,768,031,182
1982 $46,622,715,281 $8,544,060,905
1981 $49,333,471,895 $8,015,464,252
1980 $43,599,134,193 $6,682,278,300
1979 $31,225,557,022 $5,180,102,910
1978 $23,775,718,541 $4,353,822,343
1977 $24,871,660,292 $4,366,610,469
1976 $19,213,212,475 $4,320,576,877
1975 $14,720,729,969 $4,373,532,601
1974 $11,651,505,689 $3,984,194,614
1973 $4,231,243,616 $3,311,043,292
1972 $1,415,086,929 $2,679,096,597
1971 $939,893,600 $2,179,828,710
1970 $685,986,701 $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in United Arab Emirates vs Zimbabwe by year

United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
UAE Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $3,021 -
2024 $50,274 $79,229 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $49,851 $77,955 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $50,760 $75,072 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $44,118 $68,580 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $37,992 $66,791 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $45,939 $79,816 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $47,135 $77,446 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $43,734 $70,282 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $42,721 $69,987 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $44,910 $73,986 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $52,725 $87,478 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $53,247 $87,526 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $53,142 $89,198 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $51,922 $89,665 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $44,795 $85,120 $902 $2,661
2009 $37,803 $84,780 $736 $2,233
2008 $50,054 $94,628 $341 $1,987
2007 $45,855 $100,813 $414 $2,396
2006 $44,343 $106,814 $431 $2,454
2005 $38,719 $101,301 $461 $2,496
2004 $33,377 $98,661 $470 $2,591
2003 $29,660 $92,636 $468 $2,708
2002 $27,754 $88,467 $525 $3,238
2001 $27,745 $90,370 $566 $3,533
2000 $29,866 $92,899 $563 $3,429
1999 $25,856 $87,658 $582 $3,491
1998 $24,889 $90,229 $552 $3,527
1997 $27,983 $96,009 $751 $3,457
1996 $28,323 $94,620 $767 $3,372
1995 $27,003 $93,702 $648 $3,051
1994 $25,473 $89,959 $634 $3,012
1993 $25,033 $86,330 $605 $2,703
1992 $25,648 $87,509 $631 $2,651
1991 $25,691 $87,250 $831 $2,930
1990 $26,710 $88,455 $867 $2,757
1989 $23,167 - $840 -
1988 $21,570 - $816 -
1987 $23,113 - $726 -
1986 $23,132 - $693 -
1985 $29,468 - $649 -
1984 $32,012 - $757 -
1983 $34,650 - $959 -
1982 $39,972 - $1,096 -
1981 $44,855 - $1,069 -
1980 $42,925 - $949 -
1979 $34,238 - $779 -
1978 $29,379 - $665 -
1977 $35,020 - $677 -
1976 $31,197 - $687 -
1975 $27,117 - $717 -
1974 $23,823 - $674 -
1973 $9,696 - $579 -
1972 $3,675 - $483 -
1971 $2,805 - $406 -
1970 $2,394 - $361 -
1969 - - $346 -
1968 - - $302 -
1967 - - $294.4 -
1966 - - $278.7 -
1965 - - $294.3 -
1964 - - $281.9 -
1963 - - $277.1 -
1962 - - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $50,274, ranking 25/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

UAE Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$552B
2024
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
31/197
2024
95/197
2025
GDP growth
3.99%
2023-2024
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$50,274
2024
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
25/197
2024
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$79,229
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
16/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$193B
2024
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34.3%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$17,568
2024
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
37/185
2024
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$40,096
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.11T
2025
$2.46B
1999
Number of millionaires
183,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
6
2026
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
20.5%
2018
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2018
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.6%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.65%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.88%
2024
12.1%
2024
Population
11885001
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
UAE Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 22.6% 34.3% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 21.4% 34.9% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 22.7% 31.9% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 22.7% 31.5% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 25.9% 35.7% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 30.5% 30.1% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 27.4% 25.8% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 25.9% 20.7% 14.6% 33%
2017 27.2% 21.2% 21.1% 49%
2016 31.7% 18.6% 17% 35.1%
2015 26.4% 15.6% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 31.4% 13.5% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 28.9% 15.3% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 27.8% 20.2% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 29.6% 20.4% 16.5% 30%
2010 30.4% 18.3% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 35% 21.1% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 22% 8.95% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 17.7% 8.89% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 15.6% 5.05% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 15.7% 4.48% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 17.7% 4.08% - -
2003 20% 3.33% - -
2002 21.3% 3.43% - -
2001 25.2% 2.69% - -
2000 21.8% 3.12% - -
1999 24.3% 4.73% - -
1998 25.8% 4.18% - -
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the United Arab Emirates' government spending was $118B, accounting for 22.6% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
United Arab Emirates

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
UAE Zimbabwe
2025 5.15% 0.08%
2024 6.41% -0.76%
2023 5.82% -9.45%
2022 9.8% -1%
2021 3.96% -1.83%
2020 -2.42% 0.53%
2019 2.5% -0.06%
2018 3.65% -4.55%
2017 -0.16% -8.68%
2016 -2.95% -4.99%
2015 -6.35% -1.61%
2014 1.74% -0.87%
2013 7.99% -1.21%
2012 8.59% -0.35%
2011 5.05% -1.98%
2010 0.52% -0.4%
2009 -6.13% -1.48%
2008 17.6% -1.22%
2007 17.1% -1.71%
2006 20.2% -1.46%
2005 16% -3.58%
2004 6.4% -
2003 2.35% -
2002 -1.24% -
2001 1.21% -
2000 10.7% -
1999 1.31% -
1998 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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/united-arab-emirates/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $314M, or 0.76% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, the United Arab Emirates recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, the United Arab Emirates posted an annual surplus equal to 5.45% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.33% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
United Arab Emirates

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
UAE Zimbabwe
2025 1.3% 81.4%
2024 1.7% 736%
2023 1.6% 667%
2022 4.8% 193.4%
2021 -0.1% 98.5%
2020 -2.1% 557%
2019 -1.9% 255.3%
2018 3.1% 10.6%
2017 2% 0.9%
2016 1.6% -1.6%
2015 4.1% -2.4%
2014 2.3% -0.2%
2013 1.1% 1.6%
2012 0.7% 3.7%
2011 0.9% 3.5%
2010 0.9% 3%
2009 -4.7% 6.2%
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% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, the United Arab Emirates has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.02%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $177M
Raw materials & minerals $10.5M
Metals $8.98M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.15M
Chemicals & pharma $5.23M
Wood & paper products $2.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2M
Precious metals & jewellery $346K
Miscellaneous $189K
Animal & marine products $8K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $4.6B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135M
Raw materials & minerals $455K
Raw agricultural goods $362K
Animal & marine products $201K
Machinery & equipment $113K
Textiles & consumer goods $82K
Miscellaneous $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

UAE Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$80B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
9/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.5%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$400B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$467B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$117B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$181B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
92.2%
2023
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
106.8%
2023
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

UAE Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 71.9 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 29/197 190/197
Property rights 62.9 19.4
Government integrity 65.3 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 16.8
Tax burden 99.9 73.6
Government spending 85.1 93.9
Fiscal health 97.6 52.4
Business freedom 84.5 42
Labor freedom 63.2 33.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 0
Trade freedom 78.6 50.4
Investment freedom 50 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

United Arab Emirates
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
UAE Zimbabwe
2026 71.9 35.2
2025 71.6 35.1
2024 71.1 38.2
2023 70.9 39
2022 70.2 33.1
2021 76.9 39.5
2020 76.2 43.1
2019 77.6 40.4
2018 77.6 44
2017 76.9 44
2016 72.6 38.2
2015 72.4 37.6
2014 71.4 35.5
2013 71.1 28.6
2012 69.3 26.3
2011 67.8 22.1
2010 67.3 21.4
2009 64.7 22.7
2008 62.6 29.5
2007 62.6 32
2006 62.2 33.5
2005 65.2 35.2
2004 67.2 34.4
2003 73.4 36.7
2002 73.6 36.7
2001 74.9 38.8
2000 74.2 48.7
1999 71.5 47.2
1998 72.2 44.6
1997 71.9 48
1996 71.6 46.7
1995 - 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the United Arab Emirates is 71.9, ranking 29/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

UAE Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
54.9%
2024
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
44.3%
2024
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.77%
2024
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$566B
2024
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$81,640
2024
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$292B
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
14/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$31.5B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.6B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
19.5%
2020
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2023
8.85%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.