Updated
Overview
Saudi Arabia has 3.2 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 36.97 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Saudi Arabia's economy is 2.3 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.28T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $34,537 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Saudi Arabia | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.28T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.24T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $34,537 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.5% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 2.1% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.0% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,799 | — | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $1,067 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.06 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 36.97 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 36.54 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 4.6% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 29.6 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 2.29 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 79.0 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 85% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 100% | 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 2,149,690 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 17.2/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 692 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.4 t | Lower: 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $80.33B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 282,000 | 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
Saudi Arabia is growing faster: 4.5% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 2.1% in Saudi Arabia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Saudi Arabia: a price level of 47 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 29.6 (Saudi Arabia) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 4.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 79.0).
Geography
By land area, Saudi Arabia is 26 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 2,149,690 km² versus 83,600 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 17.
Military
Saudi Arabia spends 3.5 times as much on defence as the United Arab Emirates: $80.33B versus $22.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Saudi Arabia carries the heavier military burden: 7.3% of GDP versus 5.6%.
Saudi Arabia fields the larger armed forces: 282,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Saudi Arabia bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Saudi Arabia is larger by land area. Saudi Arabia covers 2,149,690 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Saudi Arabia is 26 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Saudi Arabia has the larger population: 36.97 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Saudi Arabia richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $34,537. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.28T for Saudi Arabia versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Saudi Arabia or the United Arab Emirates?
- Saudi Arabia spends more: $80.33B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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