Updated
Overview
Poland has 3.2 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 36.44 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Poland's economy is about 85% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $1.04T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $28,420 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Poland | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.04T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $914.70B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $28,420 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.6% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.8% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.8% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 52 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $2,302 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,241 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.22 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.44 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 38.75 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.3% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 42.5 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.31 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 78.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 60% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 89% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 312,679 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 116.5/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 273 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 7.1 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $38.00B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 4.2% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 189,000 | 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 (3.6% for Poland, 4.0% for the United Arab Emirates).
Poland runs the hotter price environment: 3.8% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Poland: a price level of 52 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 42.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.7 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 78.4).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 60%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 89% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Poland is 3.7 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 312,679 km² versus 83,600 km².
Military
Poland spends about 65% more on defence than the United Arab Emirates: $38.00B 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 4.2%.
Poland fields the larger armed forces: 189,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Poland bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Poland is larger by land area. Poland covers 312,679 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Poland is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Poland or the United Arab Emirates?
- Poland has the larger population: 36.44 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Poland richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $28,420. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.04T for Poland versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Poland or the United Arab Emirates?
- Poland spends more: $38.00B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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