Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates and Portugal are nearly matched in population: 11.51 million versus 10.80 million people (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is about 60% larger than Portugal's, at $552.32B versus $346.64B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $32,082 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Portugal | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $552.32B | $346.64B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $308.68B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $50,274 | $32,082 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 1.9% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.3% | 2.3% | 2025 | 1.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 6.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 60 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $1,426 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $1,147 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 10.80 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 10.19 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 46.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.52 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 82.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 61% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 88% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 92,090 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 117.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 36 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 3.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $4.64B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 1.5% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 52,000 | 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 1.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 2.3% in Portugal.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 46.9 years.
The United Arab Emirates is considerably more urbanized: 86% of people live in cities, against 61%.
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 88% of the population).
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 9% smaller than Portugal: 83,600 km² versus 92,090 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 4.9 times as much on defence as Portugal: $22.76B versus $4.64B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.5%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 52,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Portugal?
- Portugal is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Portugal covers 92,090 km², so Portugal is 10% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Portugal?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 10.80 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Portugal?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $32,082. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $346.64B for Portugal.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Portugal?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $4.64B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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