Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 2.1 times the population of Oman: 11.51 million people against 5.49 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 5.0 times the size of Oman's, at $552.32B versus $109.60B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $19,947 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Oman | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $552.32B | $109.60B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $106.94B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $50,274 | $19,947 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 2.4% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.3% | Lower: 1.0% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 3.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 47 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $845 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $3.97 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 5.49 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 3.97 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 4.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 29.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 2.48 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 80.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 95% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 309,500 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 17.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 83 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 15.7 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $5.99B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 5.6% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 47,000 | 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 faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.4%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 1.0% in Oman.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Oman: a price level of 47 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates) and 29.7 (Oman).
Life expectancy is 2.8 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 80.2).
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 73% smaller than Oman: 83,600 km² versus 309,500 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 18.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 3.8 times as much on defence as Oman: $22.76B versus $5.99B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 47,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Oman?
- Oman is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Oman covers 309,500 km², so Oman is 3.7 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Oman?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 5.49 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Oman?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $19,947. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $109.60B for Oman.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Oman?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $5.99B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for United Arab Emirates · Oman