Country profile
United Arab Emirates
The Gulf's main trade and logistics hub, exporting oil and gold and re-exporting goods through Jebel Ali and Dubai.
Updated 11 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Abu Dhabi
- Population
- 11.6 million (2026)
- Currency
- UAE dirham (AED)
- GDP, 2026
- US$661 billion
- Exports, 2025
- US$350.6 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 3.67 AED (fixed peg)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
-3.9%Real GDP growth, 2026
7.7%Real GDP growth, 2027
4.5%Inflation, 2026
32.8% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
4.8% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Compare United Arab Emirates with other countries →
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- India (16.1%)
- Iraq (12.4%)
- Saudi Arabia (12.3%)
- China (8.2%)
- Turkey (7.4%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Mineral fuels, including oil (44.6%)
- Gems and precious metals, mainly gold (37.3%)
- Aluminium (2.6%)
- Plastics (2%)
- Electrical machinery and equipment (1.3%)
Main trade agreements
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) customs union
- Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (CEPAs) with India, Indonesia, Turkey and other countries
- Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA)
Trade policy to watch
- Free zones: companies in free zones such as JAFZA can be fully foreign-owned and import and re-export goods without customs duty.
- Taxes: 5% VAT since 2018 and a 9% federal corporate tax since 2023.
- Shipping routes: trade depends on the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, where conflict can disrupt shipping and raise insurance costs.
Energy
The UAE is a major oil and gas producer. Natural gas produces most of its electricity, the Barakah nuclear plant supplies about a quarter, and solar is growing.
What it means for your supply chain
- Many goods shipped from the UAE are made elsewhere; check the country of origin, not just the shipping point.
- The UAE is a common base for distribution across the Gulf, Middle East and Africa.
- UAE aluminium (EGA) is a regional source of primary aluminium.
United Arab Emirates in the Supplier Hub
5 companies in the Supplier Hub are listed under United Arab Emirates.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections; updated automatically).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- World’s Top Exports: export markets (shares are 2024 data) and main exports.
- The UAE dirham is pegged to the US dollar at 3.6725.
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.