United Arab Emirates vs Saudi Arabia

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited Arab EmiratesSaudi ArabiaDifference
Population (2025) (people)11,513,14936,973,555−68.9%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)5521,277−56.8%
GDP per capita ($)50,27434,537+45.6%
Life expectancy (years)83.179.0
Area (km²)98,6482,149,690−95.4%
Population density (people/km²)11717+578.6%
Median age (years)30.8
Internet usage (%)100.0100.0
Unemployment rate (%)2.23.0
Inflation (%)1.32.1
Urban population (%)86.084.6
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)80,331
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)7.30
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)22.31
Military expenditure per capita ($)2,173
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)63,000282,000−77.7%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)5.57.6−28.3%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.021.92−46.9%

The difference column shows the percentage gap of United Arab Emirates relative to Saudi Arabia; 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 68.9% lower than Saudi Arabia.
  • On gdp (nominal), United Arab Emirates is 56.8% lower than Saudi Arabia.
  • On gdp per capita, United Arab Emirates is 45.6% higher than Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia — core indicators
010 mn20 mn30 mn40 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) — Saudi Arabia: 36.973.555GDP (nominal) — Saudi Arabia: 1.277GDP per capita — Saudi Arabia: 34.537Area — Saudi Arabia: 2.149.690
United Arab EmiratesSaudi Arabia

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 Saudi Arabia.

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