United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates
The United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates connect investment, services and regional security. In April 2026 they agreed to expand cooperation in energy, artificial intelligence, justice and illicit finance.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07A framework expanded in 2026
The April 2026 Foreign Affairs meeting agreed a cooperation framework in diplomacy, defense, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, energy transition and judicial matters.
Shipping and regional security
The ministers condemned Iranian attacks and discussed navigation through Hormuz and other crises.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 13,693.83 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR |
| Goods: United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates | 10,689.44 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR |
| Goods: United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom | 3,004.39 M USD | 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR |
| Services trade | 12,800 M GBP | 2025 · ONS |
| Export share: United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates | 1.93 % | 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR |
| Export share: United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom | ||
| Investment stock: United Kingdom in United Arab Emirates | 4,200 M GBP | 2024 · ONS |
| Investment stock: United Arab Emirates in United Kingdom | 7,000 M GBP | 2024 · ONS |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR · Goods; full year; GBR reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR · Goods; full year; GBR reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Goods: United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR · Goods; full year; GBR reporter. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF according to the reporter's coverage. No addition of mirror reports.
- Services trade
- 2025 · Department for Business and Trade / ONS · Services trade, calendar year 2025, according to the ONS table in the current profile. Figure rounded as in the source. The figure for four quarters through March 2026 is not used. It is not added to goods expressed in USD.
- Export share: United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates
- 2025 · UN Comtrade / GBR · Goods share: GBR exports to the partner / the same reporter's exports to the world, same year.
- Investment stock: United Kingdom in United Arab Emirates
- 2024 · Department for Business and Trade / ONS · Direct investment position at the end of 2024 published by ONS, including ad hoc publication where the profile indicates. Not total portfolio investment, announcements or annual flow. Published negative values are retained: these are net positions, not annual spending.
- Investment stock: United Arab Emirates in United Kingdom
- 2024 · Department for Business and Trade / ONS · Direct investment position at the end of 2024 published by ONS, including ad hoc publication where the profile indicates. Not total portfolio investment, announcements or annual flow. Published negative values are retained: these are net positions, not annual spending.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | United Kingdom | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 4 trillion USD2025 · World Bank | 552.32 billion USD2024 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 57,601.96 USD2025 · World Bank | 50,273.51 USD2024 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1.39 %2025 · World Bank | 3.99 %2024 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 3.88 %Annual average · 2025 · World Bank | 1.25 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3.1 %Year-on-year · 2026-08 · ONS | |
| Unemployment | 4.75 %ILO est.2025 · World Bank | 2.17 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -5.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 5.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 102.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 34.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -2.43 %2025 · World Bank | 14.48 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 69,487,0002025 · World Bank | 10,986,4002024 · WB |
| Area | 243,610 km²2023 · World Bank | 98,648 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDUnited Kingdom: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personUnited Kingdom: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)United Kingdom: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)United Kingdom: 2025 · Average annual CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2025 · Annual average change in the CPI (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedUnited Kingdom: 2026-08 · Headline CPI; change relative to the same month of the previous year · ONS · Headline CPI, not CPIH or core inflation.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionUnited Kingdom: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate, percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)United Kingdom: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.United Arab Emirates: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)United Kingdom: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · IMF WEO general-government estimate. Retains the source’s fiscal year when it differs from the calendar year.United Arab Emirates: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPUnited Kingdom: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleUnited Kingdom: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date. Preliminary.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceUnited Kingdom: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series; observation period, not download date.United Arab Emirates: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 3,230.4 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 1,403 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 1,054.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 306 M USD2025 · Source |
| Dairy products, eggs and honey | 76 M USD2025 · Source |
| Mineral fuels and oils | 18.7 M USD2025 · Source |
| Meat and edible offal | 4.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Metal ores | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 1,406.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 250.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 61.9 M USD2025 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 32.3 M USD2025 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.2 M USD2025 · Source |
| Metal ores | 0.1 M USD2025 · Source |
How trade has changed
Billions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates | United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 10,117.3 | 7,883.7 | 2,233.5 |
| 2022 | 16,315.2 | 12,251.4 | 4,063.9 |
| 2023 | 12,245.3 | 9,211.7 | 3,033.6 |
| 2024 | 16,012.7 | 12,463.5 | 3,549.2 |
| 2025 | 13,693.8 | 10,689.4 | 3,004.4 |
Connections between people
Consular assistance during crises is a concrete connection between administrations and citizens, distinct from travel, residents and investment. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from United Kingdom living in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Residents from United Arab Emirates living in United Kingdom | ||
| Study and training: United Kingdom in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Study and training: United Arab Emirates in United Kingdom | ||
| Academic stays: United Kingdom in United Arab Emirates | ||
| Academic stays: United Arab Emirates in United Kingdom | ||
| Travel: United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates | ||
| Travel: United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
A framework expanded in 2026
The April 2026 Foreign Affairs meeting agreed a cooperation framework in diplomacy, defense, trade and investment, artificial intelligence, energy transition and judicial matters. [1]
Investment and services
Economic relations include capital, services and business activity. Cooperation agreements and investment announcements are not equated with direct investment stocks measured by ONS, which have their own statistical definition. [1]
Consular protection during crises
The declaration documents Emirati assistance to British nationals in the context of regional hostilities. That cooperation protects people and facilitates specific procedures; it is not a count of the entire resident British community. [1]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for United Kingdom is 4,002.6 billion USD (2025), compared with 552.3 for United Arab Emirates (2024). The reference populations are 69.49 and 10.99 million, respectively. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [6] [7] [8] [9]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Shipping and regional security
The ministers condemned Iranian attacks and discussed navigation through Hormuz and other crises. Positions are attributed to the official April declaration; they are not turned into an assertion that the regional crisis has ended. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates) totalled 13,693.8 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 10,689.4 million; those in the opposite direction, 3,004.4 million. The difference between the two flows was 7,685.1 million, in favour of United Kingdom. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from United Kingdom to the partner represented 1.93% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 10,117.3 million USD in 2021 and 13,693.8 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was +35.4 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2022, at 16,315.2 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, machinery and mechanical appliances stands out in shipments from United Kingdom to United Arab Emirates, at 3,230.4 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from United Arab Emirates to United Kingdom, at 1,406.9 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Cross-border services
Published services trade for the pair was 12,800 million GBP (2025). Services trade, calendar year 2025, according to the ONS table in the current profile. Figure rounded as in the source. The figure for four quarters through March 2026 is not used. It is not added to goods expressed in USD. [5]
Direct investment position
The United Kingdom's direct investment position in the United Arab Emirates was GBP 4200 million (2024). Direct investment position at the end of 2024 published by ONS, including ad hoc publications where the profile indicates. Not total portfolio investment, announcements or annual flow. Published negative values are retained: these are net positions, not annual spending. [5]
Direct investment position
The United Arab Emirates' direct investment position in the United Kingdom was 7000 million GBP (2024). Direct investment position at the end of 2024 published by ONS, including ad hoc publications where the profile indicates. Not total portfolio investment, announcements or annual flow. Published negative values are retained: these are net positions, not annual spending. [5]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral document GBR-ARE
Government of the United Kingdom · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Annual TOTAL X/M; 2025; reporter 826; partners 0,484,76,32,152,170,554,360,704,410,682,784,634,818,376,710
UN Comtrade / GBR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade / GBR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Selected HS2 chapters; reporter 826; annual 2025; same partner/flow/coverage as total
UN Comtrade / GBR · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Trade and Investment Factsheet — GBR-ARE
Department for Business and Trade / ONS · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; country ISO and year preserved; no military data; exact requested country subset independently re-fetched and values compared
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade / GBR
2026-10-07 · Accessed: 2026-10-07 · Selected HS2 chapters; reporter 826; annual 2025; same partner/flow/coverage as total.