Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 25% more people than Austria: 11.51 million against 9.21 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates and $579.47B for Austria.
Per person, Austria is the wealthier of the two: $62,930 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Austria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $552.32B | Higher: $579.47B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $521.64B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $62,930 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 0.6% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.3% | 3.5% | 2025 | 1.7% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 82 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $6,155 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 9.21 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 9.17 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 43.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.33 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 82.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 92% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 83,871 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 109.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 56 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 6.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $5.26B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 1.0% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 23,000 | 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 0.6%.
Austria runs the hotter price environment: 3.5% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 82 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 43.6 years.
Life expectancy is 1.1 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 82.0).
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is almost exactly the same size as Austria: 83,600 km² versus 83,871 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 4.3 times as much on defence as Austria: $22.76B versus $5.26B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.0%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 23,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Austria?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Austria covers 83,871 km², a difference of under 1%.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Austria?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 9.21 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Austria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Austria is richer: $62,930 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $579.47B for Austria.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Austria?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $5.26B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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