Updated
Overview
Iran has 8.0 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 92.42 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is about 50% larger than Iran's, at $552.32B versus $362.68B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $436.91B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 32.5% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 8.3% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 63 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,264 | — | 2023 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 8.7 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 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 grew while the other economy contracted: 4.0% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 1.3%.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the younger society: median age 31.6 versus 34.0 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 77.9).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 85% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Iran is 20 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 1,648,195 km² versus 83,600 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 56.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.9 times as much on defence as Iran: $22.76B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.0%.
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Iran is 20 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or the United Arab Emirates?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Iran · United Arab Emirates