United Arab Emirates Tax Revenue
Tax revenue as % of GDP GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS
United Arab Emirates's tax revenue was 0.62% in 2025, ranked 115th globally. This represents a 4.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1997–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's tax revenue stood at 0.62% in 2025, a decline of +0.03% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 0.62% by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 115th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ tax revenue as a share of GDP fell to 0.62 percent in 2025, placing the federation at rank 115 globally, a sharp decline from the 1.12 percent recorded at the all‑time peak in 1999. The downward trajectory accelerated after the 2016 trough of just 0.04 percent, when fiscal reliance on oil‑related revenues intensified and the nascent value‑added tax regime remained limited. Over the 18‑year coverage period the emirate’s tax base has contracted far more than that of peer economies such as Angola, which records a 3.90 percent share, and India at 5.88 percent, underscoring the UAE’s distinctive fiscal structure that privileges indirect and non‑tax revenues. The modest rebound to 0.62 percent reflects gradual diversification and the expansion of the federal VAT, yet the figure remains well below regional averages. Continued broadening of the tax net and higher rates on consumption and corporate income would be required to reverse the long‑term decline and lift the revenue share toward the levels seen in comparable resource‑rich nations.
Data & projection
| Year | Tax Revenue | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 0.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 0.63% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 0.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 0.62% | −0.03% | #115 |
| 2024 | 0.65% | +0.03% | #2 |
| 2023 | 0.62% | +0.05% | #2 |
| 2022 | 0.57% | +0.04% | #2 |
| 2021 | 0.53% | −0.14% | #2 |
| 2020 | 0.67% | −0.27% | #2 |
| 2019 | 0.94% | +0.88% | #2 |
| 2018 | 0.06% | −0.01% | #2 |
| 2017 | 0.06% | +0.02% | #2 |
| 2016 | 0.04% | −0.01% | #1 |
| 2015 | 0.05% | −0.28% | #1 |
| 2014 | 0.34% | −0.02% | #1 |
| 2013 | 0.35% | +0.01% | #1 |
| 2012 | 0.35% | +0.04% | #1 |
| 2011 | 0.31% | −0.82% | #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 tax revenue improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's tax revenue was 0.62% in 2025. Ranked 115th globally. This represents a 4.2% decrease from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's tax revenue peaked at 1.12% in 1999.
The lowest tax revenue in United Arab Emirates was 0.04% in 2016.
United Arab Emirates ranks 115th globally in tax revenue as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is GC.TAX.TOTL.GD.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
United Arab Emirates's tax revenue is projected to reach 0.62% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tax revenue of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 0.62%. This ranks 115th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_tax-revenue,
title = {United Arab Emirates Tax Revenue},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/tax-revenue/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}