Updated
Overview
Canada has 3.6 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 41.65 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Canada's economy is 4.2 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $2.32T versus $552.32B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Canada | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.32T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $2.24T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $55,698 | $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.7% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 2.4% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.9% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 83 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $4,121 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,106 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.81 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 41.65 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 39.19 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.6 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.33 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.1 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 94% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,984,670 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 4.2/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 533 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 13.4 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $29.35B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 72,000 | 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 1.7%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Canada 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 83 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 40.6 years.
Geography
By land area, Canada is 119 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 9,984,670 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 4.
Military
Canada spends 29% more on defence than the United Arab Emirates: $29.35B 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 1.3%.
Canada fields the larger armed forces: 72,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Canada bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Canada is larger by land area. Canada covers 9,984,670 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Canada is 119 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Canada or the United Arab Emirates?
- Canada has the larger population: 41.65 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Canada richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Canada is richer: $55,698 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $2.32T for Canada versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Canada or the United Arab Emirates?
- Canada spends more: $29.35B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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