Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 2.0 times the population of Finland: 11.51 million people against 5.65 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is about 75% larger than Finland's, at $552.32B versus $317.04B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Finland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $552.32B | $317.04B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $299.84B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $56,149 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 0.2% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.3% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.6% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 9.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 85 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $5,760 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 5.65 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 5.55 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 43.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.30 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 75% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 338,424 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 16.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 30 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $6.99B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 2.3% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 22,000 | 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 0.2%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 0.3% in Finland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 85 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.
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 75% smaller than Finland: 83,600 km² versus 338,424 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 17.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 3.3 times as much on defence as Finland: $22.76B versus $6.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.3%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 22,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Finland?
- Finland is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Finland covers 338,424 km², so Finland is 4.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Finland?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 5.65 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Finland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Finland is richer: $56,149 against $50,274. Total GDP tells a different story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $317.04B for Finland.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Finland?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $6.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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