United Arab Emirates vs United Kingdom
Every indicator for United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | United Kingdom | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population (2025) (people) | 11,513,149 | 69,487,000 | −83.4% |
| GDP (nominal) (billion $) | 552 | 4,003 | −86.2% |
| GDP per capita ($) | 50,274 | 57,602 | −12.7% |
| Life expectancy (years) | 83.1 | 81.4 | — |
| Area (km²) | 98,648 | 243,610 | −59.5% |
| Population density (people/km²) | 117 | 285 | −59.1% |
| Median age (years) | — | 40.6 | — |
| Internet usage (%) | 100.0 | 95.5 | — |
| Unemployment rate (%) | 2.2 | 4.7 | — |
| Inflation (%) | 1.3 | 3.9 | — |
| Urban population (%) | 86.0 | 83.3 | — |
| Military expenditure (2024) (million $) | — | 81,763 | — |
| Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%) | — | 2.28 | — |
| Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%) | — | 5.25 | — |
| Military expenditure per capita ($) | — | 1,177 | — |
| Armed forces personnel (2020) (people) | 63,000 | 153,000 | −58.8% |
| Armed forces per 1,000 people (people) | 5.5 | 2.2 | +148.5% |
| Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%) | 1.02 | 0.45 | +126.7% |
The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Arab Emirates relative to United Kingdom; a positive value favors United Arab Emirates. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.
At a glance
United Kingdom is higher on 6 of the 8 indicators, while United Arab Emirates leads on the remaining 2. The widest separation is in gdp (nominal), about 7.3 times; they are closest on gdp per capita.
Key differences
- United Kingdom's gdp (nominal) (4,003) is about 7.3 times United Arab Emirates's (552).
- United Kingdom's population (2025) (69,487,000) is about 6.0 times United Arab Emirates's (11,513,149).
- United Arab Emirates's armed forces per 1,000 people (5.5) is about 2.5 times United Kingdom's (2.2).
- United Kingdom's area (243,610) is about 2.5 times United Arab Emirates's (98,648).
- United Kingdom's population density (285) is about 2.4 times United Arab Emirates's (117).
Frequently asked questions
Where do United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom differ most?
Where are United Arab Emirates and United Kingdom most alike?
On how many indicators is United Arab Emirates ahead of United Kingdom?
The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.
Related comparisons
Other comparisons involving United Arab Emirates or United Kingdom.
United Arab Emirates profile →
All statistics, series, and details.
United Kingdom profile →
All statistics, series, and details.