United Arab Emirates vs China

Every indicator for United Arab Emirates and China side by side, with the percentage gap between them. Sources are listed at the bottom of the page.

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited Arab EmiratesChinaDifference
Population (2025) (people)11,513,1491,406,585,000−99.2%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)55219,498−97.2%
GDP per capita ($)50,27413,862+262.7%
Life expectancy (years)83.178.0
Area (km²)98,6489,562,910−99.0%
Population density (people/km²)117147−20.7%
Median age (years)39.6
Internet usage (%)100.091.6
Unemployment rate (%)2.24.6
Inflation (%)1.30.1
Urban population (%)86.066.3
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)313,658
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)1.71
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)5.06
Military expenditure per capita ($)223
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)63,0002,535,000−97.5%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)5.51.8+203.6%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.020.33+209.1%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Arab Emirates relative to China; a positive value favors United Arab Emirates. Interpret it in context — for unemployment, a lower value is better.

Key differences

  • On population (2025), United Arab Emirates is 99.2% lower than China.
  • On gdp (nominal), United Arab Emirates is 97.2% lower than China.
  • On gdp per capita, United Arab Emirates is 262.7% higher than China.
United Arab Emirates and China — core indicators
0500 mn1 mr1,5 mrPopulation (2025)GDP (nominal)GDP per capitaAreaPopulation (2025) — United Arab Emirates: 11.513.149GDP (nominal) — United Arab Emirates: 552GDP per capita — United Arab Emirates: 50.274Area — United Arab Emirates: 98.648Population (2025) — China: 1.406.585.000GDP (nominal) — China: 19.498GDP per capita — China: 13.862Area — China: 9.562.910
United Arab EmiratesChina

The indicators use different scales, so the chart is a rough visual comparison only; use the table for exact figures.

Other comparisons involving United Arab Emirates or China.

Data sourcesUN World Population Prospects, IMF, World Bank, SIPRI