Updated
Overview
The Netherlands has about 55% more people than the United Arab Emirates: 18.09 million against 11.51 million (2025).
The Netherlands' economy is 2.4 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.33T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the Netherlands is the wealthier of the two: $73,684 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Netherlands | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.33T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.23T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $73,684 | $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.8% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.3% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.9% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 84 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $6,402 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,538 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 18.09 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 17.83 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.5% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 41.5 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.44 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 82.0 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 96% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 97% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 41,850 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 432.2/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 115 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 6.3 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $23.18B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 41,000 | 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 1.8%.
The Netherlands runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 84 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 41.5 years.
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 82.0).
Geography
By land area, the Netherlands is 50% smaller than the United Arab Emirates: 41,850 km² versus 83,600 km².
The Netherlands is far more densely settled: 432 people per km² against 138.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $23.18B (the Netherlands) and $22.76B (the United Arab Emirates).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.9%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 41,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the Netherlands bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. The Netherlands covers 41,850 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the Netherlands or the United Arab Emirates?
- The Netherlands has the larger population: 18.09 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the Netherlands richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the Netherlands is richer: $73,684 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.33T for the Netherlands versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, the Netherlands or the United Arab Emirates?
- The Netherlands spends more: $23.18B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Netherlands · United Arab Emirates