United Arab Emirates Economy 2026: GDP, Growth Rate & World Ranking
The United Arab Emirates has the 28th-largest nominal GDP of the 189 economies SOTW covers for 2026: $661.02 billion (IMF projection). It sits just behind Singapore ($667.89 billion) and ahead of Norway ($651.71 billion). The IMF projects a real GDP contraction of 3.9% and inflation of 4.5% for 2026. The United Arab Emirates' population was 11.5 million in 2025.
- Nominal GDP
- $661.02B
- Reference year 2026 (IMF projection)
- current US dollars
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
661018000000 current US dollars
- Real GDP growth
- -3.9%
- Reference year 2026 (IMF projection)
- annual percent change in real GDP
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
-3.9 annual percent change in real GDP
- Inflation (annual-average CPI)
- 4.5%
- Reference year 2026 (IMF projection)
- annual percent change in average consumer prices
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
4.5 annual percent change in average consumer prices
- Unemployment
- Not reported
- Reference year not reported
- percent of labor force
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
- GDP per person
- $57,109
- Reference year 2026 (IMF projection)
- current US dollars per person
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
57108.985 current US dollars per person
- Population
- 11.5M
- Reference year 2025
- people
- World Bank (World Development Indicators)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
11513149 people
- General government gross debt
- 32.8%
- Reference year 2026 (IMF projection)
- percent of GDP
- International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
32.8 percent of GDP
- Life expectancy at birth
- 83.1 years
- Reference year 2024
- years
- World Bank (World Development Indicators)
- Series and history →
Unrounded value
83.069 years
IMF projection: a forecast from the IMF World Economic Outlook, revised at each release, not a measured value.
About these figures
Each figure keeps its own year, unit and source, shown on its card. Missing values are not zero: a card that says Not reported has no figure for this economy.
IMF figures for the current year and later are projections from the World Economic Outlook and change with each edition. Earlier IMF years can still be estimates. Some economies report on a fiscal year rather than a calendar year, and the source data do not record each country-specific fiscal-year mapping, so the same year label may not cover the same twelve months everywhere.
The GDP rank compares economies with a positive IMF figure for the same year; older figures and regional aggregates are not ranked. Nominal GDP is in US dollars at market exchange rates. GDP per person is output per person, not a typical income. General government gross debt covers every level of government, so it is broader than central-government debt.
Population follows the World Bank's midyear-estimate definition. Open a card's Unrounded value for the full figure, or its series link for the history.
UAE Economic Overview
The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates — Abu Dhabi and Dubai being by far the most economically significant — that has transformed from a desert trading post to one of the world's wealthiest and most connected economies in just five decades. Abu Dhabi holds the vast majority of the UAE's oil reserves and the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) is one of the world's largest sovereign wealth funds. Dubai has built a fundamentally different model based on tourism, aviation, logistics, real estate, and finance.
Dubai's diversification is genuinely remarkable: oil now accounts for less than 5% of its GDP. Emirates airline connects Dubai to over 150 destinations, making Dubai International the world's busiest airport for international passengers. Jebel Ali is the Middle East's largest container port. The Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) hosts over 4,000 firms. Tourism exceeds 25 million visitors annually. This model has made Dubai a global city on par with Singapore, Hong Kong, and London in connectivity.
The UAE population is roughly 90% expatriate — one of the highest foreign-born ratios in the world — reflecting a labor market model dependent on imported talent and workers at all skill levels. GDP per capita at $57,109 in 2026 (IMF projection) is high but unevenly distributed between Emirati citizens and the large migrant workforce. The UAE is a member of BRICS (joined 2024) and increasingly positions itself as a neutral ground between Western and non-Western economic blocs.
Questions about the United Arab Emirates' figures
What is the United Arab Emirates' nominal GDP for 2026?
The United Arab Emirates' nominal GDP is $661.02B (current US dollars; reference year 2026, an IMF projection). Source: International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook). Rank 28 among 189 covered IMF economies for reference year 2026.
What is the United Arab Emirates' real GDP growth for 2026?
The United Arab Emirates' real GDP growth is -3.9% (annual percent change in real GDP; reference year 2026, an IMF projection). Source: International Monetary Fund (World Economic Outlook).
What is the United Arab Emirates' population for 2025?
The United Arab Emirates' population is 11.5M (people; reference year 2025). Source: World Bank (World Development Indicators). The World Bank definition describes midyear population estimates.
What is the United Arab Emirates' life expectancy at birth for 2024?
The United Arab Emirates' life expectancy at birth is 83.1 years (years; reference year 2024). Source: World Bank (World Development Indicators).