Updated
Overview
Italy has 5.1 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 58.92 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Italy's economy is 4.6 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $2.55T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $43,309 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Italy | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.55T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $2.37T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $43,309 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.5% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.5% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 1.0% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 69 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,994 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 58.92 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 60.92 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 48.2 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 70% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 301,336 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 195.5/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 302 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.1 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $37.96B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.6% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 338,000 | 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 much faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.5% in Italy and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 48.2 years.
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Italy is 3.6 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 301,336 km² versus 83,600 km².
Military
Italy spends about 65% more on defence than the United Arab Emirates: $37.96B 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 1.6%.
Italy fields the larger armed forces: 338,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Italy bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Italy is larger by land area. Italy covers 301,336 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Italy is 3.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Italy or the United Arab Emirates?
- Italy has the larger population: 58.92 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Italy richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $43,309. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.55T for Italy versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Italy or the United Arab Emirates?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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