Updated
Overview
Australia has 2.4 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 27.61 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Australia's economy is 3.3 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.80T versus $552.32B.
Per person, Australia is the wealthier of the two: $65,130 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Australia | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.80T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.75T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $65,130 | $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.4% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.9% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.1% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 90 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,436 | — | 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,655 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.95 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 27.61 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 27.49 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.5% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 38.3 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.64 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 7,692,024 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 3.6/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 387 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 14.5 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $33.82B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 60,000 | 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
The United Arab Emirates is growing faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.9% in Australia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 90 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the younger society: median age 31.6 versus 38.3 years.
Geography
By land area, Australia is 92 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 7,692,024 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 4.
Military
Australia spends about 50% more on defence than the United Arab Emirates: $33.82B versus $22.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.9%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 60,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Australia bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Australia is larger by land area. Australia covers 7,692,024 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Australia is 92 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Australia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Australia has the larger population: 27.61 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Australia richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Australia is richer: $65,130 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.80T for Australia versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Australia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Australia spends more: $33.82B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Australia · United Arab Emirates