Qatar vs United Arab Emirates
Qatar
United Arab Emirates
| Metric | Qatar | United Arab Emirates |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Doha | Abu Dhabi |
| Population | 3,115,889 | 11,346,000 |
| Area (km²) | 11,586 | 83,600 |
| Population density (/km²) | 269 | 136 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | $72,500 | $50,300 |
| Region | Western Asia | Western Asia |
| Currency | QAR | AED |
| Languages | Arabic | Arabic |
| Main religions | Islam | Islam |
| Time zone | UTC+3 | UTC+4 |
Green highlights the higher value (or higher GDP per capita). Figures are approximate.
At a glance
Qatar and United Arab Emirates are both located in Asia (both in Western Asia). United Arab Emirates has the larger population — about 3.6× the population of Qatar, while United Arab Emirates covers more land area.
For full geographic detail, see the Qatar map and the United Arab Emirates map.
Small, rich and close
Qatar is a single peninsula jutting into the Persian Gulf, and its only land border is with Saudi Arabia. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, larger in both area and population. The two do not share a land border; a Saudi coastal strip lies between them. Both are monarchies where citizens are a small minority among large expatriate populations, and both rank among the world's richest countries per person.
Gas versus a mix of oil and trade
Qatar's wealth comes mainly from natural gas. It shares the world's largest gas field with Iran (North Field in Qatar, South Pars in Iran) and is one of the world's largest exporters of liquefied natural gas. It left OPEC in 2019 to concentrate on gas. The UAE's wealth started with Abu Dhabi's oil. Dubai then built a diversified economy on its port at Jebel Ali, free zones, property and tourism. In 2026 the UAE also left OPEC, effective 1 May.
Both run global airlines from hub airports, Doha's Hamad International on one side and Dubai and Abu Dhabi on the other, and they compete directly for long-haul transfer passengers between Europe, Asia and Africa.
The blockade years
In June 2017 Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut diplomatic and transport links with Qatar. They accused Doha of supporting extremist groups and of being too close to Iran, which Qatar denied. Flights between Doha and Dubai stopped, and Qatar's only land border was closed. The dispute ended with the Al-Ula declaration in January 2021, and direct travel resumed. Qatar's media network Al Jazeera and its links with Islamist movements had been central to the quarrel.
Profile and recent years
Qatar hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the first held in the Arab world, and it is a frequent mediator in regional conflicts. The UAE has pursued an assertive foreign policy and signed the 2020 Abraham Accords with Israel. Both were hit by Iranian strikes during the regional war that began in February 2026. Compare also Kuwait vs Qatar and Saudi Arabia vs UAE.
Frequently asked questions
- Do Qatar and the UAE share a border?
- No. Qatar's only land border is with Saudi Arabia, and a Saudi coastal strip separates Qatar from the UAE.
- Why did the UAE blockade Qatar?
- In 2017 Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt cut ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting extremist groups and being too close to Iran, which Qatar denied. The dispute ended with the Al-Ula declaration in January 2021.
- Is Qatar's wealth from oil or gas?
- Mainly natural gas. Qatar shares the world's largest gas field with Iran and is one of the largest exporters of liquefied natural gas.