Updated
Overview
India has 127 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 1.46 billion people against 11.51 million (2025).
India's economy is 7.2 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $3.96T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $3.91T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.4% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 5.0% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.2% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 11.51 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.4% in India and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 31.6 years.
Life expectancy is 10.8 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 72.2).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 39 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 3,287,590 km² versus 83,600 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 138.
Military
India spends 3.8 times as much on defence as the United Arab Emirates: $86.13B 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 2.3%.
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so India is 39 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or the United Arab Emirates?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, India or the United Arab Emirates?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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