Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates and Sweden are nearly matched in population: 11.51 million versus 10.60 million people (2025).
Sweden's economy is 21% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $669.00B versus $552.32B.
Per person, Sweden is the wealthier of the two: $63,133 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Sweden | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $552.32B | Higher: $669.00B | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $610.12B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $63,133 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 1.5% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.3% | Lower: 0.7% | 2025 | 1.7% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 8.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 87 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $4,783 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $7.16 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 10.60 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 10.64 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 0.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 40.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 84.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 96% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 450,295 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 23.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 38 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $12.04B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 2.0% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 15,000 | 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 1.5%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 0.7% in Sweden.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 87 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 40.3 years.
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 81% smaller than Sweden: 83,600 km² versus 450,295 km².
The United Arab Emirates is far more densely settled: 138 people per km² against 24.
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends about 90% more on defence than Sweden: $22.76B versus $12.04B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.0%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 15,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Sweden?
- Sweden is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Sweden covers 450,295 km², so Sweden is 5.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Sweden?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 10.60 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Sweden?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Sweden is richer: $63,133 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $669.00B for Sweden.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Sweden?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $12.04B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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