Updated
Overview
Chile has about 70% more people than the United Arab Emirates: 19.86 million against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is about 55% larger than Chile's, at $552.32B versus $357.37B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $17,995 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Chile | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $357.37B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $330.27B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $17,995 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 2.5% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 4.2% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 4.3% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 9.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 48 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,024 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $530 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.41 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.86 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 19.09 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 36.9 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.13 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 96% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 756,102 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 26.3/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 79 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.0 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.11B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 114,000 | 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 2.5%.
Chile runs the hotter price environment: 4.2% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Chile: a price level of 48 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the younger society: median age 31.6 versus 36.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, Chile is 9.0 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 756,102 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 26.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 4.5 times as much on defence as Chile: $22.76B versus $5.11B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.6%.
Chile fields the larger armed forces: 114,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Chile bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Chile is larger by land area. Chile covers 756,102 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Chile is 9.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Chile or the United Arab Emirates?
- Chile has the larger population: 19.86 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Chile richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $17,995. Total GDP tells the same story: $357.37B for Chile versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Chile or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $5.11B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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