Updated
Overview
China has 122 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 1.41 billion people against 11.51 million (2025).
China's economy is 35 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $19.50T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $18.74T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 1.3% | 2025 | 0.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.6% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 11.51 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.0 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 92% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 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
China is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 0.1% in China and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in China: a price level of 47 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 5.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 78.0).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 115 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 9,596,960 km² versus 83,600 km².
Military
China spends 14 times as much on defence as the United Arab Emirates: $313.66B 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 1.7%.
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so China is 115 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or the United Arab Emirates?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, China or the United Arab Emirates?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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