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Investor guides

The UAE Economy in Charts

The figures investors ask about most, read automatically from the World Bank’s open data so they stay current.

What the figures mean for investors: Why the UAE.

Growth

Real GDP growth

% change on the previous year, in constant prices

UAE, 2024
4.0%
World, 2025
2.9%

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
Real GDP growth, % change on the previous year, in constant prices
YearUAEWorld
2025–2.9%
20244.0%2.9%
20234.3%2.9%
20227.5%3.4%
20214.6%6.5%
2020−8.7%−2.9%
20191.3%2.7%
20181.5%3.3%
2017−1.1%3.5%
20165.7%2.8%
20157.1%3.1%
20144.6%3.2%
20134.9%2.9%
20124.7%2.8%

Size of the economy

GDP in US$ billion, current prices

UAE, 2024
US$552bn

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.MKTP.CD), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
Size of the economy, GDP in US$ billion, current prices
YearUAE
2024US$552bn
2023US$523bn
2022US$511bn
2021US$422bn
2020US$357bn
2019US$434bn
2018US$441bn
2017US$403bn
2016US$382bn
2015US$382bn
2014US$425bn
2013US$410bn
2012US$393bn
2011US$369bn
2010US$308bn
2009US$254bn
2008US$315bn
2007US$258bn
2006US$222bn
2005US$181bn

GDP per person

US$ per person, current prices

UAE, 2024
US$50,274
World, 2025
US$14,406

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NY.GDP.PCAP.CD), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
GDP per person, US$ per person, current prices
YearUAEWorld
2025–US$14,406
2024US$50,274US$13,717
2023US$49,851US$13,314
2022US$50,760US$12,876
2021US$44,118US$12,473
2020US$37,992US$10,999
2019US$45,939US$11,418
2018US$47,135US$11,345
2017US$43,734US$10,784
2016US$42,721US$10,239
2015US$44,910US$10,192
2014US$52,725US$10,912
2013US$53,247US$10,759
2012US$53,142US$10,598
2011US$51,922US$10,497
2010US$44,795US$9,555
2009US$37,803US$8,827
2008US$50,054US$9,426
2007US$45,855US$8,685
2006US$44,343US$7,803
2005US$38,719US$7,291

Prices

Inflation

Consumer prices, % change on the previous year

UAE, 2025
1.3%
World, 2025
3.0%

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
Inflation, Consumer prices, % change on the previous year
YearUAEWorld
20251.3%3.0%
20241.7%3.0%
20231.6%5.7%
20225.3%8.0%
20210.2%3.5%
2020−2.1%1.9%
2019−1.9%2.2%
20183.1%2.5%
20172.0%2.3%
20161.6%1.6%
20154.1%1.4%
20142.4%2.4%
20131.1%2.6%
20120.7%3.7%

People and jobs

Population

Millions, mid-year estimate

UAE, 2025
11.5m

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (SP.POP.TOTL), updated 8 Oct 2026

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Population, Millions, mid-year estimate
YearUAE
202511.5m
202411.0m
202310.5m
202210.1m
20219.6m
20209.4m
20199.5m
20189.4m
20179.2m
20168.9m
20158.5m
20148.1m
20137.7m
20127.4m
20117.1m
20106.9m
20096.7m
20086.3m
20075.6m
20065.0m
20054.7m

Unemployment rate

% of the labour force, International Labour Organization modelled estimate

UAE, 2025
2.2%
World, 2025
4.8%

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
Unemployment rate, % of the labour force, International Labour Organization modelled estimate
YearUAEWorld
20252.2%4.8%
20242.2%4.8%
20232.2%4.9%
20222.9%5.2%
20213.1%6.1%
20204.3%6.6%
20192.3%5.6%
20182.2%5.8%
20172.5%5.9%
20161.6%6.0%
20151.8%6.0%
20142.0%6.0%
20132.1%6.1%
20122.3%6.2%
20112.6%6.2%
20102.8%6.3%

Investment and trade

Foreign direct investment

Net inflows, US$ billion

UAE, 2025
US$48.2bn

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (BX.KLT.DINV.CD.WD), updated 8 Oct 2026

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Foreign direct investment, Net inflows, US$ billion
YearUAE
2025US$48.2bn
2024US$45.6bn
2023US$30.7bn
2022US$22.7bn
2021US$20.7bn
2020US$19.9bn
2019US$17.9bn
2018US$10.4bn
2017US$10.4bn
2016US$9.6bn
2015US$8.6bn
2014US$11.1bn
2013US$9.8bn
2012US$9.6bn

Exports and imports

Goods and services, US$ billion, current prices

Exports, 2023
US$558bn
Imports, 2023
US$482bn

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (NE.EXP.GNFS.CD), updated 8 Oct 2026

Show the figures
Exports and imports, Goods and services, US$ billion, current prices
YearExportsImports
2023US$558bnUS$482bn
2022US$522bnUS$428bn
2021US$425bnUS$348bn
2020US$350bnUS$297bn
2019US$405bnUS$306bn
2018US$400bnUS$282bn
2017US$382bnUS$285bn
2016US$361bnUS$271bn
2015US$359bnUS$269bn
2014US$403bnUS$275bn
2013US$392bnUS$253bn
2012US$376bnUS$240bn
2011US$316bnUS$216bn
2010US$238bnUS$179bn
2009US$202bnUS$187bn
2008US$249bnUS$220bn
2007US$187bnUS$166bn
2006US$152bnUS$113bn
2005US$122bnUS$93.9bn

All figures are from World Bank, World Development Indicators, and the latest year can be revised. Last read on 30 October 2026. Information only, not investment advice.