United Arab Emirates vs Turkey

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

Indicator comparison
IndicatorUnited Arab EmiratesTurkeyDifference
Population (2025) (people)11,513,14985,878,556−86.6%
GDP (nominal) (billion $)5521,597−65.4%
GDP per capita ($)50,27418,599+170.3%
Life expectancy (years)83.177.4—
Area (km²)98,648785,350−87.4%
Population density (people/km²)117109+6.7%
Median age (years)—34.4—
Internet usage (%)100.089.8—
Unemployment rate (%)2.28.5—
Inflation (%)1.334.9—
Urban population (%)86.089.5—
Military expenditure (2024) (million $)—24,979—
Military expenditure as a share of GDP (%)—1.92—
Military expenditure as a share of government spending (%)———
Military expenditure per capita ($)—291—
Armed forces personnel (2020) (people)63,000512,000−87.7%
Armed forces per 1,000 people (people)5.56.0−8.2%
Armed forces as a share of the labor force (%)1.021.61−36.6%

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

At a glance

Turkey is higher on 6 of the 8 indicators, while United Arab Emirates leads on the remaining 2. The widest separation is in armed forces personnel (2020), about 8.1 times; they are closest on population density.

Key differences

  • Turkey's armed forces personnel (2020) (512,000) is about 8.1 times United Arab Emirates's (63,000).
  • Turkey's area (785,350) is about 8.0 times United Arab Emirates's (98,648).
  • Turkey's population (2025) (85,878,556) is about 7.5 times United Arab Emirates's (11,513,149).
  • Turkey's gdp (nominal) (1,597) is about 2.9 times United Arab Emirates's (552).
  • United Arab Emirates's gdp per capita (50,274) is about 2.7 times Turkey's (18,599).

Frequently asked questions

Where do United Arab Emirates and Turkey differ most?
In armed forces personnel (2020). Turkey records 512,000 against United Arab Emirates's 63,000 — a ratio of roughly 8.1 to one.
Where are United Arab Emirates and Turkey most alike?
In population density, at 117 and 109 — a gap of only %6.7.
On how many indicators is United Arab Emirates ahead of Turkey?
United Arab Emirates is higher on 2 of the 8 ratio-scale indicators and Turkey on 6. A higher number is not automatically better, though — population density, for instance, is a characteristic rather than an advantage.
United Arab Emirates and Turkey — core indicators
020 M40 M60 M80 M100 MPopulation (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) — Turkey: 85,878,556GDP (nominal) — Turkey: 1,597GDP per capita — Turkey: 18,599Area — Turkey: 785,350
United Arab EmiratesTurkey

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 Turkey.

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