Updated
Overview
The United Kingdom has 6.0 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 69.49 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
The United Kingdom's economy is 7.2 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $4.00T versus $552.32B.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | United Kingdom | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $4.00T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $3.64T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $57,602 | $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.4% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 3.9% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 3.3% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 4.7% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 89 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $3,567 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $2,532 | — | 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $7.40 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 69.49 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 68.75 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.3% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.54 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 81.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 83% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 95% | Higher: 100% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 242,900 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 286.1/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 313 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 4.5 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $81.76B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 153,000 | 63,000 | 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 1.4%.
The United Kingdom runs the hotter price environment: 3.9% inflation versus 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in the United Arab Emirates: a price level of 63 versus 89 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
The United Arab Emirates is the far younger society: median age 31.6 versus 40.1 years.
Life expectancy is 1.7 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 81.4).
Geography
By land area, the United Kingdom is 2.9 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 242,900 km² versus 83,600 km².
The United Kingdom is far more densely settled: 286 people per km² against 138.
Military
The United Kingdom spends 3.6 times as much on defence as the United Arab Emirates: $81.76B versus $22.76B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 2.3%.
The United Kingdom fields the larger armed forces: 153,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is the United Kingdom bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Kingdom is larger by land area. The United Kingdom covers 242,900 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so the United Kingdom is 2.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Kingdom has the larger population: 69.49 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is the United Kingdom richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Kingdom is richer: $57,602 against $50,274. Total GDP tells the same story: $4.00T for the United Kingdom versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, the United Kingdom or the United Arab Emirates?
- The United Kingdom spends more: $81.76B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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