Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 2.1 times the population of Ireland: 11.51 million people against 5.48 million (2025).
Ireland's economy is 31% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $721.70B versus $552.32B.
Per person, Ireland is the wealthier of the two: $131,592 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Ireland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $552.32B | Higher: $721.70B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $577.39B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $131,592 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.0% | Higher: 12.3% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.3% | 2.2% | 2025 | 1.7% / 2.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 4.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 85 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $5,697 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $2,579 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 5.48 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 5.23 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 39.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 83.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 65% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 97% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 70,273 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 78.0/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 33 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 6.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $1.33B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 0.2% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 9,000 | 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
Ireland is growing much faster: 12.3% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 2.2% in Ireland.
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 younger society: median age 31.6 versus 39.0 years.
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 65%.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 19% larger than Ireland: 83,600 km² versus 70,273 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 17 times as much on defence as Ireland: $22.76B versus $1.33B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.2%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 9,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Ireland?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Ireland covers 70,273 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 19% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Ireland?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 5.48 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Ireland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ireland is richer: $131,592 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $721.70B for Ireland.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Ireland?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $1.33B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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