United Arab Emirates Interest Payments to Revenue
Interest payments as % of revenue GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS
United Arab Emirates's interest payments to revenue was 3.56% in 2025, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 17.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2019–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's interest payments to revenue stood at 3.56% in 2025, a rise of +0.52pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.56% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 70th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ interest payments to revenue rose from a zero‑percent share in 2019 to 3.56 % of total revenue in 2025, marking the highest level recorded in the seven‑year series and placing the emirate at rank 70 globally. This increase reflects a gradual shift in fiscal composition as the government’s borrowing costs have risen alongside expanding public‑sector projects and sovereign debt issuances. By contrast, Saudi Arabia’s interest‑to‑revenue ratio stood at 3.33 % in the same year, while Portugal recorded 3.53 %, indicating that the UAE’s burden is now comparable to other oil‑rich or emerging economies that have modestly higher financing needs. The all‑time trough of 0.00 % in 2019 coincided with a period of abundant fiscal surplus and limited external borrowing, whereas the 2025 peak aligns with a broader regional trend of higher debt service as governments diversify spending. If the UAE continues to manage debt prudently and diversifies revenue sources, the upward trajectory of interest payments may stabilize or even decline in the medium term.
Data & projection
| Year | Interest Payments to Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 5.06% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 4.31% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 3.56% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.56% | +0.52pp | #70 |
| 2024 | 3.04% | +1.11pp | #5 |
| 2023 | 1.92% | +0.75pp | #19 |
| 2022 | 1.18% | +0.84pp | #14 |
| 2021 | 0.34% | +0.26pp | #3 |
| 2020 | 0.08% | +0.08pp | #1 |
| 2019 | 0.00% | – | #1 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw interest payments to revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's interest payments to revenue was 3.56% in 2025. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 17.3% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's interest payments to revenue peaked at 3.56% in 2025.
The lowest interest payments to revenue in United Arab Emirates was 0.00% in 2019.
United Arab Emirates ranks 70th globally in interest payments to revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.XPN.INTP.RV.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's interest payments to revenue is projected to reach 3.56% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The interest payments to revenue of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 3.56%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_interest-to-revenue,
title = {United Arab Emirates Interest Payments to Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/interest-to-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}