United Arab Emirates vs Iran

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited Arab EmiratesIranDifference
Population (2025) (people)11,513,14992,417,681−87.5%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)552363+52.1%
GDP per capita ($)50,2743,924+1,181.2%
Life expectancy (years)83.177.9
Area (km²)98,6481,745,150−94.3%
Population density (people/km²)11753+120.4%
Median age (years)33.8
Internet usage (%)100.085.3
Unemployment rate (%)2.28.3
Inflation (%)1.342.2
Urban population (%)86.077.4
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)7,892
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)2.01
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)12.55
Military expenditure per capita ($)85
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)63,000650,000−90.3%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)5.57.0−22.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.022.35−56.6%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Arab Emirates relative to Iran; 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 87.5% lower than Iran.
  • On gdp (nominal), United Arab Emirates is 52.1% higher than Iran.
  • On gdp per capita, United Arab Emirates is 1,181.2% higher than Iran.
United Arab Emirates and Iran — core indicators
020 mn40 mn60 mn80 mn100 mnPopulation (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) — Iran: 92.417.681GDP (nominal) — Iran: 363GDP per capita — Iran: 3.924Area — Iran: 1.745.150
United Arab EmiratesIran

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 Iran.

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