Updated
Overview
Taiwan has 2.0 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 23.30 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Taiwan's economy is about 65% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $920.05B versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $39,489 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Taiwan | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $920.05B | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $611.39B / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $39,489 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.7% | 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.7% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 2.2% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 3.4% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 63 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.42 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 23.30 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 23.60 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | — | 4.7% | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 44.8 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 0.86 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | — | 83.1 yrs | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | — | 86% | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | — | 100% | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 36,193 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 643.7/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 262 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 11.3 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | — | $22.76B | — / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | — | 5.6% | — / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | — | 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
Taiwan is growing much faster: 8.7% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.7% in Taiwan and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 44.8 years.
Geography
By land area, Taiwan is 57% smaller than the United Arab Emirates: 36,193 km² versus 83,600 km².
Taiwan is far more densely settled: 644 people per km² against 138.
Frequently asked
- Is Taiwan bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. Taiwan covers 36,193 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 2.3 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Taiwan or the United Arab Emirates?
- Taiwan has the larger population: 23.30 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Taiwan richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $39,489. Total GDP tells a different story: $920.05B for Taiwan versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
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