Updated
Overview
Pakistan has 22 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 255.22 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is about 35% larger than Pakistan's, at $552.32B versus $407.31B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $1,596 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Pakistan | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $407.31B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $373.07B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $1,596 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.7% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.5% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 12.6% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 24 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $95 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $133 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.89 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 255.22 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 257.05 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 1.6% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 20.6 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.50 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 40% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 57% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 881,912 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 289.4/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 180 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.7 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $10.17B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.7% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 943,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.7% for Pakistan, 4.0% for the United Arab Emirates).
Pakistan runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Pakistan: a price level of 24 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Pakistan is the far younger society: median age 20.6 versus 31.6 years.
Life expectancy is 15.3 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 67.8).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 40%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 57% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Pakistan is 11 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 881,912 km² versus 83,600 km².
Pakistan is far more densely settled: 289 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.2 times as much on defence as Pakistan: $22.76B versus $10.17B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.7%.
Pakistan fields the larger armed forces: 943,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Pakistan bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Pakistan is larger by land area. Pakistan covers 881,912 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Pakistan is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates?
- Pakistan has the larger population: 255.22 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Pakistan richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $1,596. Total GDP tells the same story: $407.31B for Pakistan versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Pakistan or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $10.17B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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