Updated
Overview
Argentina has 4.0 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 45.85 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Argentina's economy is 24% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $683.10B versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $14,898 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Argentina | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $683.10B | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $633.27B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $14,898 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.4% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 219.9% | Lower: 1.3% | 2024 / 2025 | — / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 7.1% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 46 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $811 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $297 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.91 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 45.85 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 45.42 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 32.9 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.50 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.5 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 92% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,780,400 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 16.5/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 171 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.18B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.6% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 103,000 | 63,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (4.4% for Argentina, 4.0% for the United Arab Emirates).
Inflation is a serious concern in Argentina at 219.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Argentina: a price level of 46 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 32.9 (Argentina) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 5.5 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 77.5).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 90% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Argentina is 33 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 2,780,400 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 16.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 5.4 times as much on defence as Argentina: $22.76B versus $4.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.6%.
Argentina fields the larger armed forces: 103,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Argentina bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Argentina is larger by land area. Argentina covers 2,780,400 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Argentina is 33 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Argentina or the United Arab Emirates?
- Argentina has the larger population: 45.85 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Argentina richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $14,898. Total GDP tells a different story: $683.10B for Argentina versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Argentina or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $4.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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