Australia and United Arab Emirates Economies: A Side-by-Side Table Comparison

Australia and the United Arab Emirates present a fascinating contrast. Australia’s population is about 2.76 times larger, while its landmass dwarfs the UAE by 77.4 times. Economically, Australia boasts a GDP 3.34 times greater, with higher per capita output. However, it faces more income inequality and spends less of its GDP on defense.

Basic Indicators

Indicator	Australia	United Arab Emirates	Comparison
Population source (2022 data), updated 2024	26.01 million (54th)	9.44 million (94th)	Australia’s population is approximately 2.76 times larger than that of the United Arab Emirates.
Surface area (sq. km) source (2022 data), updated 2024	7.74 million sq. km (6th)	0.10 million sq. km (104th)	Australia is 77.4 times larger than the United Arab Emirates.
GDP source (2022 data), updated 2024	1,692.96B USD (12th)	507.06B USD (28th)	Australia’s total GDP is approximately 3.34 times larger than the United Arab Emirates.
GDP per capita source (2022 data), updated 2024	$65,100 (13th)	53,708 USD (19th)	Australia’s GDP per capita is roughly 21% higher than the United Arab Emirates, with Australians producing about $11,392 more per person annually.

Economic Indexes

Index	Australia	United Arab Emirates	Comparison
HDI (Human Development Index) source (2022 data), updated 2024	0.946 (10th)	0.937 (17th)	Australia’s HDI is 0.946 (very high), while the United Arab Emirates’ is 0.937 (very high). Australia’s score is 0.009 higher, indicating a slight advantage in human development overall.
Index of Economic Freedom source (2024 data)	76.2 (12th)	71.1 (21st)	Australia’s Index of Economic Freedom is 7.1 points higher than the United Arab Emirates, reflecting a difference of approximately 10%.
GINI source (2022 data), updated 2024	34.3 (2018 est.)	26 (2018 est.)	With a 30% higher Gini coefficient, Australia has a higher degree of income inequality than the United Arab Emirates.

International trade _{source(2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	United Arab Emirates
Total imports	363.57B USD	246.89B
Imports % of GDP	19.71%	0.07%
Main import partners	China 28%, US 10%, South Korea 6%, Japan 6%, Singapore 5%	China 18%, India 10%, US 6%, UK 4%, Saudi Arabia 3%
Main import items	refined petroleum, cars, garments, trucks, plastic products	gold, broadcasting equipment, refined petroleum, diamonds, cars
Total exports	447.51B USD	335.24B
Exports % of GDP	25.43%	79.28%
Main export Partners	China 29%, Japan 19%, South Korea 10%, India 7%, Taiwan 6%	India 13%, Japan 10%, China 8%, Saudi Arabia 7%, Iraq 5%
Main export items	coal, iron ore, natural gas, gold, wheat	crude petroleum, refined petroleum, gold, broadcasting equipment, natural gas

Australia’s imports are 1.47 times those of the UAE, and Australia imports 19.64% more of its GDP than the UAE does. Australia’s exports are 447.51B USD, focusing on minerals, while the UAE’s 335.24B USD exports are mainly crude oil, reflecting different economies.

Military Power _{source (2023 data), updated 2024}

Indicator	Australia	United Arab Emirates
Military expenditure	32.3B USD	25.0B USD
Military expenditure (% of GDP)	1.90%	4.93%
Active military	59k	63k
Active military per 1,000 capita	3.8	19.9

Australia’s military expenditure is $7.34 billion higher but allocates a smaller percentage of its GDP to defense at 1.90%, compared to the United Arab Emirates’ 4.93%.