Updated
Overview
Bangladesh has 15 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 175.69 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 21% larger than Bangladesh's, at $552.32B versus $456.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $2,597 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Bangladesh | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $456.32B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $450.12B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $2,597 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.5% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 8.8% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 10.5% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.8% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 25 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $134 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $108 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 175.69 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 174.37 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.2% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 26.0 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.11 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 33% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 53% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 147,570 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 1190.5/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 108 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.6 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $4.03B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.9% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 227,000 | 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 3.5%.
Bangladesh runs the hotter price environment: 8.8% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Bangladesh: a price level of 25 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Bangladesh is the younger society: median age 26.0 versus 31.6 years.
Life expectancy is 8.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 74.9).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 33%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 53% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Bangladesh is 77% larger than the United Arab Emirates: 147,570 km² versus 83,600 km².
Bangladesh is far more densely settled: 1191 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 5.6 times as much on defence as Bangladesh: $22.76B versus $4.03B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.9%.
Bangladesh fields the larger armed forces: 227,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Bangladesh bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Bangladesh is larger by land area. Bangladesh covers 147,570 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Bangladesh is 77% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Bangladesh or the United Arab Emirates?
- Bangladesh has the larger population: 175.69 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Bangladesh richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $2,597. Total GDP tells the same story: $456.32B for Bangladesh versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Bangladesh or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $4.03B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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