Updated
Overview
The United Arab Emirates has 27% more people than Switzerland: 11.51 million against 9.09 million (2025).
Switzerland's economy is about 90% larger than the United Arab Emirates', at $1.04T versus $552.32B.
Per person, Switzerland is the wealthier of the two: $114,769 against $50,274 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Arab Emirates | Switzerland | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $552.32B | Higher: $1.04T | 2024 / 2025 | $537.08B / $936.56B |
| GDP per capita | $50,274 | Higher: $114,769 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 4.0% | 1.3% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.3% | Lower: 0.2% | 2025 | 1.7% / 1.1% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.2% | 4.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 63 | 112 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $7,309 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | — | $4,784 | — / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $5.17 | $9.04 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 11.51 million | 9.09 million | 2025 | 10.09 million / 8.93 million |
| Population growth | 4.7% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 31.6 yrs | 42.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.21 | 1.44 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 83.1 yrs | Higher: 84.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 86% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 100% | 97% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 83,600 km² | 41,284 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 137.7/km² | 220.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 222 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 20.1 t | Lower: 3.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $22.76B | $6.72B | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 5.6% | 0.7% | 2014 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 63,000 | 20,000 | 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 1.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates and 0.2% in Switzerland.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 112 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 42.9 years.
Life expectancy is 1.3 years longer in Switzerland (84.4 vs 83.1).
Geography
By land area, the United Arab Emirates is 2.0 times the size of Switzerland: 83,600 km² versus 41,284 km².
Military
The United Arab Emirates spends 3.4 times as much on defence as Switzerland: $22.76B versus $6.72B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 0.7%.
The United Arab Emirates fields the larger armed forces: 63,000 personnel against 20,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Arab Emirates bigger than Switzerland?
- The United Arab Emirates is larger by land area. The United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km² while Switzerland covers 41,284 km², so the United Arab Emirates is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Arab Emirates or Switzerland?
- The United Arab Emirates has the larger population: 11.51 million versus 9.09 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Arab Emirates richer than Switzerland?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Switzerland is richer: $114,769 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates versus $1.04T for Switzerland.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Arab Emirates or Switzerland?
- The United Arab Emirates spends more: $22.76B versus $6.72B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for United Arab Emirates · Switzerland