United Arab Emirates
AREMiddle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & PakistanHigh incomeCapital: Abu DhabiEconomy
Fiscal
People
Health
Education
Trade
Energy / Env
Tech
Governance
Equality
Infra
Labor
73/80 indicators · percentile vs world (IMF / WB / WHO)underover
GDP
$639
2027▲ 6.4%
Population
11.0M
2024▲ 4.8%
GDP per Capita
$56,861
2027▲ 5.6%
Life Expectancy
82.9 years
2023▲ 3.0%
United Arab Emirates in world space2000–2023
192 countries · log scale on X world United Arab Emirates· trajectory line: 1980 → today
▶About United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates's GDP is $601.16B (2026), with a population of 11.0M, and GDP per capita of $53,842. Key indicators include real GDP growth of 5.0%, inflation at 2.0%, government debt at 31.9% of GDP, life expectancy of 82.9 years. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook and World Bank World Development Indicators.
The economy is a high-income one, with a GDP of $601.16 billion in 2026, ranking 29th globally. The GDP per capita is projected to reach $54,000 in 2026, reflecting substantial wealth. Real GDP growth is robust at 5.0% in 2026, with consumer price inflation at 2.0%. The economy is highly open, with trade accounting for 199.0% of GDP in 2023, indicating significant export and import activity. Foreign direct investment inflows are notable, at 8.3% of GDP in 2024. The capital is Abu Dhabi, a key hub for both economic and political activities. The population is approximately 11.0 million in 2024. Life expectancy at birth is 82.9 years in 2023, indicating strong health outcomes. The adult literacy rate is high, at 98.8% in 2024, reflecting a strong emphasis on education. Health spending is 5.0% of GDP in 2023, supporting the high life expectancy. The unemployment rate is low, at 2.2% in 2025. The fertility rate is 1.2 births per woman in 2023, reflecting a low population growth rate.
▶Economy29 indicators · 2020–2027 · IMF / WB
▶Fiscal & Monetary16 indicators · 2023–2027 · IMF / WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inflation, Consumer Prices (%) | 2.0% | 2027 | ▲ 0.0% | IMF |
| Govt Gross Debt (% of GDP) | 30.1% | 2027 | ▼ 5.6% | IMF |
| Fiscal Balance (% of GDP) | 4.7% | 2027 | ▼ 2.1% | IMF |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | 11.5% | 2027 | ▼ 6.5% | IMF |
| Inflation, CPI (%, World Bank) | 1.7% | 2024 | ▲ 2.3% | WB |
| Government Revenue (% of GDP) | 3.0% | 2024 | ▼ 17.6% | WB |
| Government Expenditure (% of GDP) | 3.8% | 2023 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Tax Revenue (% of GDP) | 0.6% | 2024 | ▲ 5.0% | WB |
| Taxes on Goods & Services (% of revenue) | 17.3% | 2024 | ▲ 24.6% | WB |
| Taxes on International Trade (% of revenue) | 0.0% | 2024 | ▲ 54.5% | WB |
| Net Investment in Nonfinancial Assets (% of GDP) | 0.1% | 2024 | ▼ 51.8% | WB |
| Total Reserves incl. Gold (USD) | $237.93B | 2024 | ▲ 25.6% | WB |
| Total Reserves (months of imports) | 5.2 | 2024 | ▲ 12.6% | WB |
| Official Exchange Rate (per USD) | 3.67 | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PPP Conversion Factor | 2.33 | 2024 | ▼ 0.8% | WB |
| Broad Money (% of GDP) | 114.3% | 2024 | ▲ 8.4% | WB |
▶Trade15 indicators · 2023–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trade (% of GDP) | 199.0% | 2023 | ▲ 7.2% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 106.8% | 2023 | ▲ 4.7% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (% of GDP) | 92.2% | 2023 | ▲ 10.2% | WB |
| Exports of Goods & Services (USD) | $558.40B | 2023 | ▲ 7.0% | WB |
| Imports of Goods & Services (USD) | $481.85B | 2023 | ▲ 12.6% | WB |
| Merchandise Exports (USD) | $603.65B | 2024 | ▲ 5.9% | WB |
| Merchandise Imports (USD) | $543.89B | 2024 | ▲ 15.6% | WB |
| FDI Inflows (% of GDP) | 8.3% | 2024 | ▲ 40.7% | WB |
| FDI Outflows (% of GDP) | 14.0% | 2024 | ▲ 227.4% | WB |
| FDI Net Inflows (USD) | $45.64B | 2024 | ▲ 48.7% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (USD) | $1.80B | 2024 | ▼ 4.3% | WB |
| Personal Remittances Received (% of GDP) | 0.3% | 2024 | ▼ 9.5% | WB |
| High-Tech Exports (% of manufactured) | 9.0% | 2023 | ▼ 3.5% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (% of GDP) | 14.5% | 2024 | ▲ 10.3% | WB |
| Current Account Balance (USD) | $79.97B | 2024 | ▲ 16.5% | WB |
▶Finance11 indicators · 2021–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Credit by Financial Sector (% of GDP) | 78.1% | 2022 | ▼ 21.3% | WB |
| Domestic Credit to Private Sector (% of GDP) | 65.5% | 2022 | ▼ 14.1% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (% of GDP) | 190.9% | 2024 | ▲ 0.3% | WB |
| Stock Market Capitalization (USD) | $1.05T | 2024 | ▲ 6.0% | WB |
| Stock Market Turnover (% of GDP) | 21.8% | 2024 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Listed Domestic Companies | 154 | 2024 | ▲ 4.8% | WB |
| Bank Capital to Assets Ratio (%) | 11.5% | 2023 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Bank Nonperforming Loans (%) | 5.3% | 2023 | ▼ 19.0% | WB |
| Account Ownership at Financial Institution (%) | 85.7% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Female (%) | 86.7% | 2021 | — | WB |
| Account Ownership, Male (%) | 85.4% | 2021 | — | WB |
▶People23 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11.0M | 2024 | ▲ 4.8% | WB |
| Population Growth (%) | 4.7% | 2024 | ▲ 17.8% | WB |
| Population Density (per km²) | 148 | 2023 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Surface Area (sq km) | 98,648 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Land Area (sq km) | 71,020 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Urban Population (%) | 85.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Urban Population (total) | 9.4M | 2024 | ▲ 5.0% | WB |
| Rural Population (%) | 14.2% | 2024 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 82.9 years | 2023 | ▲ 3.0% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Male | 82.0 years | 2023 | ▲ 3.3% | WB |
| Life Expectancy, Female | 84.2 years | 2023 | ▲ 2.5% | WB |
| Fertility Rate (births per woman) | 1.2 | 2023 | ▲ 4.5% | WB |
| Birth Rate (per 1,000) | 9.8 | 2023 | ▲ 5.2% | WB |
| Death Rate (per 1,000) | 0.9 | 2023 | ▼ 21.0% | WB |
| Net Migration | 158,634 | 2025 | ▼ 43.0% | WB |
| Population Ages 0–14 (%) | 16.1% | 2024 | ▼ 1.4% | WB |
| Population Ages 15–64 (%) | 82.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Population Ages 65+ (%) | 1.8% | 2024 | ▲ 4.2% | WB |
| Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 21.8% | 2024 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Old-Age Dependency Ratio (%) | 2.2% | 2024 | ▲ 4.0% | WB |
| Youth Dependency Ratio (%) | 19.6% | 2024 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Male (per 1,000) | 36.5 | 2023 | ▼ 25.4% | WB |
| Mortality Rate, Adult Female (per 1,000) | 18.5 | 2023 | ▼ 24.1% | WB |
▶Labor20 indicators · 2023–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Labor Force | 7.4M | 2025 | ▲ 2.6% | WB |
| Labor Force Participation (%) | 78.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation (%) | 53.0% | 2025 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Male Labor Force Participation (%) | 91.5% | 2025 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Unemployment (%) | 2.2% | 2025 | ▲ 0.6% | WB |
| Female Unemployment (%) | 4.2% | 2025 | ▼ 3.7% | WB |
| Male Unemployment (%) | 1.6% | 2025 | ▲ 3.7% | WB |
| Youth Unemployment (%) | 6.5% | 2025 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Employment in Agriculture (%) | 1.4% | 2025 | ▼ 2.7% | WB |
| Employment in Industry (%) | 30.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Employment in Services (%) | 68.0% | 2025 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Self-Employed (%) | 81.4% | 2024 | ▲ 3.7% | WB |
| Vulnerable Employment (%) | 1.5% | 2025 | ▼ 4.9% | WB |
| Wage & Salaried Workers (% of total) | 94.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Part-Time Employment (%) | 2.1% | 2024 | ▼ 34.6% | WB |
| Employers (% of total employment) | 3.6% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Labor Force, Female (% of total) | 22.7% | 2025 | ▲ 1.2% | WB |
| Employment to Population Ratio (%) | 76.9% | 2025 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Self-Employed (% of total) | 5.1% | 2025 | ▼ 1.5% | WB |
| NEET Youth (% not in education/employment) | 8.9% | 2023 | — | WB |
▶Education18 indicators · 2016–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education Spending (% of GDP) | 3.9% | 2021 | ▼ 2.3% | WB |
| Education Spending (% of govt expenditure) | 14.8% | 2021 | ▲ 15.3% | WB |
| Adult Literacy Rate (%) | 98.8% | 2024 | ▲ 0.8% | WB |
| Female Literacy Rate (%) | 98.4% | 2024 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
| Male Literacy Rate (%) | 99.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.5% | WB |
| Youth Literacy Rate (%) | 99.6% | 2024 | ▲ 0.1% | WB |
| Primary School Enrollment (%) | 108.0% | 2024 | ▲ 1.7% | WB |
| Secondary School Enrollment (%) | 102.1% | 2024 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Tertiary School Enrollment (%) | 63.7% | 2024 | ▲ 3.9% | WB |
| Primary Completion Rate (%) | 99.2% | 2023 | ▼ 3.2% | WB |
| Lower Secondary Completion Rate (%) | 104.2% | 2023 | ▼ 4.2% | WB |
| Out-of-School Children, Primary | 21 | 2024 | ▼ 97.7% | WB |
| Out-of-School Girls, Primary | 312 | 2023 | ▼ 90.3% | WB |
| Primary School Teachers | 39,735 | 2024 | ▲ 6.3% | WB |
| Secondary School Teachers | 106,178 | 2024 | ▲ 9.5% | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Primary | 25 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio, Secondary | 10 | 2016 | — | WB |
| Pupil-Teacher Ratio (Primary) | 73.9 | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Health38 indicators · 2019–2024 · WHO
▶Energy & Environment16 indicators · 2020–2024 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions (tonnes per capita) | 18.3 | 2024 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| CO₂ Emissions (total kilotonnes) | 201 | 2024 | ▲ 4.1% | WB |
| Energy Use (kg oil eq. per capita) | 8,336 | 2022 | ▼ 3.9% | WB |
| Electric Power Consumption (kWh per capita) | 14,688 | 2022 | ▼ 0.9% | WB |
| Renewable Electricity Output (%) | 4.2% | 2021 | ▲ 11.1% | WB |
| Renewable Energy Consumption (%) | 1.0% | 2021 | ▲ 11.1% | WB |
| Access to Electricity (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Access to Clean Fuels for Cooking (%) | 100.0% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| PM2.5 Air Pollution (µg/m³) | 36.3 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Forest Area (%) | 4.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Forest Area (sq km) | 3,173 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Arable Land (%) | 0.7% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Terrestrial Protected Areas (%) | 16.1% | 2024 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Marine Protected Areas (%) | 12.0% | 2024 | ▲ 4.3% | WB |
| Access to Basic Drinking Water (%) | 100.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Basic Sanitation (%) | 99.1% | 2024 | ▼ 0.0% | WHO |
▶Agriculture12 indicators · 2022–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Land (%) | 5.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Cereal Yield (kg per hectare) | 23,307 | 2023 | ▲ 14.4% | WB |
| Food Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 124.9 | 2022 | ▼ 1.6% | WB |
| Crop Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 116 | 2022 | ▲ 2.4% | WB |
| Livestock Production Index (2014–2016=100) | 132.1 | 2022 | ▼ 4.3% | WB |
| Land Under Cereal Production (hectares) | 945 | 2023 | ▼ 10.2% | WB |
| Total Fisheries Production (metric tonnes) | 59,445 | 2023 | ▼ 9.1% | WB |
| Fertilizer Consumption (kg per hectare) | 326.9 | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Prevalence of Undernourishment (%) | 2.5% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Agricultural Irrigated Land (%) | 24.0% | 2023 | ▼ 0.0% | WB |
| Annual Freshwater Withdrawals (% of internal) | 1509.9% | 2022 | ▼ 1.5% | WB |
| Cereal Production (metric tons) | 22,014 | 2023 | ▲ 2.7% | WB |
▶Technology13 indicators · 2021–2024 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Users (%) | 100.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Mobile Subscriptions (per 100 people) | 199 | 2023 | ▲ 1.9% | WB |
| Fixed Broadband Subscriptions (per 100) | 37.1 | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Secure Internet Servers (per million) | 4,192.3 | 2024 | ▲ 97.8% | WB |
| R&D Spending (% of GDP) | 1.49% | 2021 | ▲ 0.4% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Residents | 69 | 2021 | ▲ 76.9% | WB |
| Patent Applications, Non-Residents | 2,354 | 2021 | ▲ 25.9% | WB |
| Scientific Journal Articles | 6,402 | 2022 | ▲ 21.6% | WB |
| High-Technology Exports (USD) | $3.18B | 2023 | ▼ 1.0% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (% of service exports) | 4.6% | 2024 | ▼ 6.0% | WB |
| ICT Service Exports (USD) | $8.30B | 2024 | ▲ 1.3% | WB |
| Industrial Design Applications, Resident | 103 | 2021 | ▲ 98.1% | WB |
| Researchers in R&D (per million) | 2,607 | 2021 | ▲ 1.0% | WB |
▶Infrastructure8 indicators · 2021–2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air Transport, Passengers Carried | 91.1M | 2023 | ▲ 33.0% | WB |
| Air Transport, Freight (million ton-km) | 13,566.2 | 2023 | ▲ 4.4% | WB |
| Container Port Traffic (TEU) | 20.3M | 2022 | ▲ 5.8% | WB |
| Rail Lines (total km) | 279 | 2021 | ▲ 6.9% | WB |
| Railways, Goods (million ton-km) | 1,380 | 2021 | ▼ 3.2% | WB |
| Logistics Performance Index (1–5) | 4.00 | 2022 | — | WB |
| Electricity from Oil (%) | 0.6% | 2022 | ▼ 0.1% | WB |
| Electricity from Nuclear (%) | 13.3% | 2022 | ▲ 96.2% | WB |
▶Gender8 indicators · 2015–2025 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women in Parliament (%) | 50.0% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Female Labor Force Participation, 15+ (%) | 55.1% | 2024 | ▲ 1.1% | WB |
| Female Wage & Salaried Workers (%) | 94.8% | 2025 | ▲ 0.2% | WB |
| Girls Out-of-School Rate (%) | 97.1% | 2015 | — | WB |
| Adolescent Fertility Rate (per 1,000) | 3.1 | 2023 | ▲ 7.8% | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Primary | 89.24 | 2017 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity Index, Secondary | 1.01 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Gender Parity in Primary Education | 1.01 | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Governance10 indicators · 2023 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Control of Corruption | 1.07 | 2023 | ▼ 7.1% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness | 1.6 | 2023 | ▲ 23.5% | WB |
| Political Stability | 0.68 | 2023 | ▼ 9.0% | WB |
| Regulatory Quality | 1.04 | 2023 | ▲ 0.7% | WB |
| Rule of Law | 0.88 | 2023 | ▲ 5.5% | WB |
| Voice & Accountability | -1.09 | 2023 | ▲ 2.9% | WB |
| Control of Corruption (percentile rank) | 82.5% | 2023 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Government Effectiveness (percentile rank) | 95.3% | 2023 | ▲ 7.4% | WB |
| Rule of Law (percentile rank) | 78.8% | 2023 | ▲ 0.0% | WB |
| Political Stability (percentile rank) | 70.1% | 2023 | ▼ 2.2% | WB |
▶Military3 indicators · 2020–2022 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Armed Forces Personnel | 63,000 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Armed Forces (% of labor force) | 1.0% | 2020 | — | WB |
| Intentional Homicides (per 100,000) | 0.7 | 2022 | ▲ 54.2% | WB |
▶Social Protection4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Capital Index (0–1) | 0.67 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Female | 0.69 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Human Capital Index, Male | 0.66 | 2020 | — | WB |
| Learning-Adjusted Years of School | 9.6 years | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Tourism4 indicators · 2020 · WB
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Tourism, Arrivals | 8.1M | 2020 | — | WB |
| International Tourism, Departures | 6.5M | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Receipts (USD) | $24.62B | 2020 | — | WB |
| Tourism Expenditures (USD) | $15.09B | 2020 | — | WB |
▶Urban Development8 indicators · 2022–2025 · WB / WHO
| Indicator | Value | Year | Δ YoY | Src |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urban Population Growth (%) | 4.9% | 2024 | ▲ 16.9% | WB |
| Population in Largest City | 3.1M | 2025 | ▲ 1.4% | WB |
| Population in Largest City (% of urban) | 32.0% | 2025 | ▼ 1.1% | WB |
| Population in Agglomerations >1M (% of total) | 58.9% | 2025 | ▼ 0.7% | WB |
| Population in Slums (% of urban) | 0.1% | 2022 | ▼ 50.0% | WB |
| Rural Population Growth (%) | 3.6% | 2024 | ▲ 24.9% | WB |
| Access to Safely Managed Drinking Water (%) | 98.6% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
| Access to Safely Managed Sanitation (%) | 98.4% | 2024 | ▲ 0.0% | WHO |
