Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has about 90% more people than Singapore: 11.51 million against 6.11 million (2025).
Their economies are close in size: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates and $603.87B for Singapore.
Per person, Singapore is the wealthier of the two: $98,814 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Singapore | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $552.32B | Higher: $603.87B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $547.39B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $98,814 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 4.0% | Higher: 5.0% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.3% | Lower: 0.9% | 2025 | 1.7% / 2.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 60 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $3,483 | — / 2021 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $5.77 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 6.11 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 6.08 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 36.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 0.96 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 83.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 100% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 94% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 719 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 8499.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 54 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 9.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $15.06B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 2.8% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 59,000 | 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
Singapore is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 4.0%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 0.9% in Singapore.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the younger society: median age 31.6 versus 36.2 years.
Singapore is considerably more urbanized: 100% of people live in cities, against 86%.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 116 times the size of Singapore: 83,600 km² versus 719 km².
Singapore is far more densely settled: 8500 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends about 50% more on defence than Singapore: $22.76B versus $15.06B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.8%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 59,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Singapore?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Singapore covers 719 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 116 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Singapore?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 6.11 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Singapore?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Singapore is richer: $98,814 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $603.87B for Singapore.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Singapore?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $15.06B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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