Updated
Overview
Romania has about 65% more people than the United Arab Emirates: 19.02 million against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 29% larger than Romania's, at $552.32B versus $428.68B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $22,538 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Romania | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $428.68B | Higher: $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $382.77B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $22,538 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 0.7% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 7.2% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 5.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 6.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 44 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,722 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $906 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $4.01 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 19.02 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 18.15 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 43.2 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.71 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 76.5 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 52% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 91% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,391 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 79.8/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 69 Mt | 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.6 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $8.72B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 128,000 | 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 0.7%.
Romania runs the hotter price environment: 7.2% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Romania: a price level of 44 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 43.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.6 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 76.5).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 52%.
Geography
By land area, Romania is 2.9 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 238,391 km² versus 83,600 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 2.6 times as much on defence as Romania: $22.76B versus $8.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.3%.
Romania fields the larger armed forces: 128,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Romania bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Romania is larger by land area. Romania covers 238,391 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Romania is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Romania or the United Arab Emirates?
- Romania has the larger population: 19.02 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Romania richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $22,538. Total GDP tells the same story: $428.68B for Romania versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Romania or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $8.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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