Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 3.9 times the population of Qatar: 11.51 million people against 2.97 million (2025).
The United Arab Emirates' economy is 2.6 times the size of Qatar's, at $552.32B versus $215.56B.
Per person, Qatar is the wealthier of the two: $72,525 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Qatar | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $552.32B | $215.56B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $217.98B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $72,525 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 2.9% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 1.3% | 1.3% | 2025 / 2024 | 1.7% / — |
| Unemployment | 2.2% | Lower: 0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 56 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,287 | — / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $275 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $4.94 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 2.97 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 2.57 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 3.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.70 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 82.5 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 99% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 98% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 11,586 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 256.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 126 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 20.1 t | 41.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $15.41B | 2014 / 2022 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 6.5% | 2014 / 2022 | — / — |
| 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 faster: 4.0% annual GDP growth versus 2.9%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 1.3% in Qatar.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates) and 33.5 (Qatar).
Qatar is considerably more urbanized: 99% of people live in cities, against 86%.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 7.2 times the size of Qatar: 83,600 km² versus 11,586 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends about 50% more on defence than Qatar: $22.76B versus $15.41B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Qatar carries the heavier military burden: 6.5% of GDP versus 5.6%.
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 Qatar?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Qatar covers 11,586 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 7.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Qatar?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 2.97 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Qatar?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Qatar is richer: $72,525 against $50,274. Total GDP tells a different story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $215.56B for Qatar.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Qatar?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $15.41B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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