Current Account Balance: United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates's current account balance is currently 12.3 % of GDP as of 2026. # United Arab Emirates Current Account Balance The UAE's current account balance stands at 12.
Current (2026)
12.3 % of GDP
-6.8% y/y
Peak (1980)
24.2 % of GDP
Low (1994)
0.1 % of GDP
Source
IMF World Economic Outlook
1980–2026 · 51 pts
Current Account Balance — United Arab Emirates
1980 — 2026
Current Account Balance — United Arab Emirates
Analysis# United Arab Emirates Current Account Balance
The UAE's current account balance stands at 12.3% of GDP in 2026, representing a substantial decline from its all-time peak of 24.2% in 1980. Since that peak, the metric has fallen 49.2%, though current levels remain well above the historical low of 0.1% recorded in 1994. The country's external position has shifted significantly over the past four decades, reflecting structural changes in its economy and export composition.
Recent volatility has characterized the 2017–2026 period, with values fluctuating between 5.9% and 14.5%. A notable recovery occurred from 2020 onwards, when the pandemic-driven low of 5.9% rebounded sharply to 11.4% by 2021. The current account subsequently stabilized in the 12–14% range through 2024 before declining slightly to 12.3% in 2026, suggesting a plateau in the UAE's external surplus position.
Historical Data
51 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2030 | 10.9 % of GDP | +0.00% |
| 2029 | 10.9 % of GDP | -0.91% |
| 2028 | 11 % of GDP | -4.35% |
| 2027 | 11.5 % of GDP | -6.50% |
| 2026 | 12.3 % of GDP | -6.82% |
| 2025 | 13.2 % of GDP | -8.97% |
| 2024 | 14.5 % of GDP | +10.69% |
| 2023 | 13.1 % of GDP | +0.77% |
| 2022 | 13 % of GDP | +14.04% |
| 2021 | 11.4 % of GDP | +93.22% |
| 2020 | 5.9 % of GDP | -31.40% |
| 2019 | 8.6 % of GDP | -8.51% |
| 2018 | 9.4 % of GDP | +38.24% |
| 2017 | 6.8 % of GDP | +94.29% |
| 2016 | 3.5 % of GDP | -23.91% |
| 2015 | 4.6 % of GDP | -64.06% |
| 2014 | 12.8 % of GDP | -28.49% |
| 2013 | 17.9 % of GDP | -3.76% |
| 2012 | 18.6 % of GDP | +57.63% |
| 2011 | 11.8 % of GDP | +195.00% |
Show all 51 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 4 % of GDP | +29.03% |
| 2009 | 3.1 % of GDP | -56.34% |
| 2008 | 7.1 % of GDP | -6.58% |
| 2007 | 7.6 % of GDP | -56.07% |
| 2006 | 17.3 % of GDP | +31.06% |
| 2005 | 13.2 % of GDP | +106.25% |
| 2004 | 6.4 % of GDP | +10.34% |
| 2003 | 5.8 % of GDP | +75.76% |
| 2002 | 3.3 % of GDP | -63.74% |
| 2001 | 9.1 % of GDP | -44.17% |
| 2000 | 16.3 % of GDP | +154.69% |
| 1999 | 6.4 % of GDP | +64.10% |
| 1998 | 3.9 % of GDP | -65.49% |
| 1997 | 11.3 % of GDP | +88.33% |
| 1996 | 6 % of GDP | +2900.00% |
| 1995 | 0.2 % of GDP | +100.00% |
| 1994 | 0.1 % of GDP | -98.28% |
| 1993 | 5.8 % of GDP | +31.82% |
| 1992 | 4.4 % of GDP | +57.14% |
| 1991 | 2.8 % of GDP | -82.17% |
| 1990 | 15.7 % of GDP | +57.00% |
| 1989 | 10 % of GDP | +35.14% |
| 1988 | 7.4 % of GDP | -33.33% |
| 1987 | 11.1 % of GDP | +42.31% |
| 1986 | 7.8 % of GDP | -56.42% |
| 1985 | 17.9 % of GDP | -5.79% |
| 1984 | 19 % of GDP | +42.86% |
| 1983 | 13.3 % of GDP | -17.90% |
| 1982 | 16.2 % of GDP | -30.17% |
| 1981 | 23.2 % of GDP | -4.13% |
| 1980 | 24.2 % of GDP | — |
Related Data
Other Metrics
For United Arab Emirates
Compare Current Account Balance
Same metric, other countries
Demographics
People & population data