Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — United Arab Emirates

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates in 2024 — 208.15%. Ranked 4 in the world out of 199. Since 1970, the indicator has risen by 92.99 pp.

2024 208.15% +9.01 pp vs 2023
World rank 4of 199
Period maximum 208.15%2024
Period minimum 50.27%1986

Trend over time

1970–2024 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — United Arab Emirates, 1970–2024010020030019701976198219881994200020062012201820241970: 115.16%1971: 125.55%1972: 115.82%1973: 62.11%1974: 69.68%1975: 67.57%1976: 67%1977: 59.07%1978: 60.97%1979: 66.03%1980: 70.45%1981: 64.92%1982: 60.53%1983: 58.86%1984: 56.06%1985: 57.46%1986: 50.27%1987: 53.89%1988: 56.68%1989: 66.58%1990: 68.52%1991: 74.06%1992: 77.74%1993: 83.8%1994: 82.92%1995: 79.31%1996: 92.29%1997: 94.53%1998: 87.78%1999: 80.76%2000: 81.32%2001: 82.96%2002: 86.34%2003: 95.87%2004: 110.32%2005: 111.81%2006: 110.59%2007: 127.47%2008: 139.33%2009: 142.74%2010: 130.16%2011: 144.21%2012: 156.89%2013: 157.41%2014: 145.68%2015: 147.63%2016: 147.13%2017: 141.64%2018: 143.6%2019: 156.22%2020: 163.02%2021: 182.91%2022: 183.05%2023: 199.15%2024: 208.15%
Change over the period: +92.99 pp Annual average: 1.72 pp

Comparison, 2024

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates 208.15%
World 44.3%
Western Asia computed 67.18%
High-income countries computed 45.26%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — United Arab Emirates, by year United Arab Emirates All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2024 208.15 +9.01 pp
2023 199.15 +16.1 pp
2022 183.05 +0.14 pp
2021 182.91 +19.89 pp
2020 163.02 +6.8 pp
2019 156.22 +12.62 pp
2018 143.6 +1.96 pp
2017 141.64 −5.48 pp
2016 147.13 −0.5 pp
2015 147.63 +1.94 pp
2014 145.68 −11.72 pp
2013 157.41 +0.52 pp
2012 156.89 +12.68 pp
2011 144.21 +14.05 pp
2010 130.16 −12.59 pp
2009 142.74 +3.42 pp
2008 139.33 +11.86 pp
2007 127.47 +16.87 pp
2006 110.59 −1.21 pp
2005 111.81 +1.49 pp
2004 110.32 +14.45 pp
2003 95.87 +9.53 pp
2002 86.34 +3.38 pp
2001 82.96 +1.64 pp
2000 81.32 +0.56 pp
1999 80.76 −7.02 pp
1998 87.78 −6.76 pp
1997 94.53 +2.25 pp
1996 92.29 +12.98 pp
1995 79.31 −3.61 pp
1994 82.92 −0.88 pp
1993 83.8 +6.06 pp
1992 77.74 +3.68 pp
1991 74.06 +5.54 pp
1990 68.52 +1.95 pp
1989 66.58 +9.89 pp
1988 56.68 +2.8 pp
1987 53.89 +3.62 pp
1986 50.27 −7.19 pp
1985 57.46 +1.4 pp
1984 56.06 −2.8 pp
1983 58.86 −1.67 pp
1982 60.53 −4.39 pp
1981 64.92 −5.53 pp
1980 70.45 +4.42 pp
1979 66.03 +5.06 pp
1978 60.97 +1.91 pp
1977 59.07 −7.93 pp
1976 67 −0.58 pp
1975 67.57 −2.11 pp
1974 69.68 +7.57 pp
1973 62.11 −53.71 pp
1972 115.82 −9.72 pp
1971 125.55 +10.38 pp
1970 115.16

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.