United Arab Emirates—Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
Category: Fiscal & MonetarySource: IMF World Economic Outlook ↗Global Rank: #5 of 192Updated August 2026
Latest Value
4.5%
2031
YoY Change
-2.2%
2030 → 2031
Global Rank
#5
of 192 countries
Maximum
20.2%
2006
Minimum
-6.4%
2015
CAGR
-2.8%
32 years
Last
4.5%
Previous
4.6%
Highest
20.2%
Lowest
-6.4%
Unit
Percent of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
United Arab Emirates's fiscal balance (% of GDP) was 4.9% in 2026, ranking #5 out of 192 countries. This represents a -2.2% change from 2030. Over the past 27 years, the highest recorded value was 20.2% (2006) and the lowest was -6.4% (2015). The IMF WEO projects 4.5% by 2031. Data sourced from the IMF World Economic Outlook.
Actual
IMF Forecast
Source: IMF World Economic Outlook
Historical Data
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2031 | 4.5% | -2.2% |
| 2030 | 4.6% | -2.1% |
| 2029 | 4.7% | +0.0% |
| 2028 | 4.7% | -2.1% |
| 2027 | 4.8% | -2.0% |
| 2026 | 4.9% | -5.8% |
| 2025 | 5.2% | -18.8% |
| 2024 | 6.4% | +10.3% |
| 2023 | 5.8% | -40.8% |
| 2022 | 9.8% | +145.0% |
| 2021 | 4.0% | +266.7% |
| 2020 | -2.4% | -196.0% |
| 2019 | 2.5% | -32.4% |
| 2018 | 3.7% | +1950.0% |
| 2017 | -0.2% | +93.3% |
| 2016 | -3.0% | +53.1% |
| 2015 | -6.4% | -476.5% |
| 2014 | 1.7% | -78.8% |
| 2013 | 8.0% | -7.0% |
| 2012 | 8.6% | +68.6% |
| 2011 | 5.1% | +920.0% |
| 2010 | 0.5% | +108.2% |
| 2009 | -6.1% | -134.7% |
| 2008 | 17.6% | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 17.1% | -15.3% |
| 2006 | 20.2% | +26.2% |
| 2005 | 16.0% | +150.0% |
| 2004 | 6.4% | +166.7% |
| 2003 | 2.4% | +300.0% |
| 2002 | -1.2% | -200.0% |
| 2001 | 1.2% | -88.8% |
| 2000 | 10.7% |
IMF Forecast
Projections from the IMF World Economic Outlook. These are staff estimates, not guarantees.
| Year | Projected Value | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|
| 2026Forecast | 4.9% | -5.8% |
| 2027Forecast | 4.8% | -2.0% |
| 2028Forecast | 4.7% | -2.1% |
| 2029Forecast | 4.7% | +0.0% |
| 2030Forecast | 4.6% | -2.1% |
| 2031Forecast | 4.5% | -2.2% |
Top Countries — Fiscal Balance (% of GDP)
| # | Country | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kuwait | 27.6% | 2026 |
| 2 | Naoero | 13.1% | 2026 |
| 3 | Norway | 10.2% | 2026 |
| 4 | Oman | 5.2% | 2026 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 4.9% | 2026 |
| 6 | Lesotho | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 7 | Macao SAR, China | 4.2% | 2026 |
| 8 | Singapore | 3.3% | 2026 |
| 9 | Lebanon | 3.3% | 2025 |
| 10 | Liechtenstein | 3.0% | 2026 |
About This Indicator
Definition
General government net lending/borrowing as a percentage of GDP. A positive value indicates a fiscal surplus; negative indicates a deficit.
Methodology
Revenue minus expenditure minus net acquisition of nonfinancial assets, as a percentage of GDP. A comprehensive measure of the fiscal balance.
Unit
Percent of GDP