Updated
Overview
Belgium and the United Arab Emirates are nearly matched in population: 11.94 million versus 11.51 million people (2025).
Belgium's economy is 31% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $725.47B versus $552.32B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Belgium | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $725.47B | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $664.56B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $60,750 | $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.5% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.1% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 5.9% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 81 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $7,044 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,387 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.94 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 11.96 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.7% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.9 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.39 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.3 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 88% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 30,528 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 391.2/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 85 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.3 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.56B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 24,000 | 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 much faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.5% in Belgium 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 81 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 41.9 years.
Geography
By land area, Belgium is 63% smaller than the United Arab Emirates: 30,528 km² versus 83,600 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.7 times as much on defence as Belgium: $22.76B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.3%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Belgium bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. Belgium covers 30,528 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 2.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Belgium or the United Arab Emirates?
- Belgium has the larger population: 11.94 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Belgium richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $725.47B for Belgium versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Belgium or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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