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Mapped: GDP per Capita in the Middle East by Country

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This map shows Middle East GDP per capita by country in 2024.

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Mapped: GDP per Capita in the Middle East by Country

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While the average GDP per capita in the Middle East stands at $13,700 in 2024, income distribution across the region is highly uneven.

From oil-rich Qatar to war-torn Yemen, the prosperity of nations is shaped by their natural resources, power imbalances, and economic policies. Today, energy resources stand as the most significant driver of wealth—with 50% of global crude oil reserves found in the region. As a result, countries like Qatar and the UAE rank among the world’s wealthiest nations.

This graphic shows GDP per capita by country across the Middle East, based on data from the IMF’s October 2024 World Economic Outlook.

Middle East GDP per Capita: Country Rankings in 2024

The table below shows the wealth of countries in the Middle East, measured by their GDP per capita:

RankCountryGDP Per Capita in 2024
1🇶🇦 Qatar$71,568
2🇮🇱 Israel$53,111
3🇦🇪 UAE$49,550
4🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia$32,881
5🇰🇼 Kuwait$32,290
6🇧🇭 Bahrain$29,573
7🇴🇲 Oman$20,631
8🇮🇶 Iraq$5,947
9🇮🇷 Iran$5,013
10🇯🇴 Jordan$4,682
11🇪🇬 Egypt$3,542
12🇾🇪 Yemen$465
Average$13,696

No data available for Syria, Lebanon, and Palestine.

Qatar is the most prosperous overall, with the ninth-highest GDP per capita in the world, at $71,568 per person.

Given its vast energy resources, including the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves, the country provides its citizens free water and electricity. Additionally, Qatar has invested heavily in infrastructure and emerging industries to further diversify its economy for the long-term.

Similarly, the UAE also provides welfare programs for its citizens. For instance, attending higher education is free and low-income residents can receive inflation subsidies for food and fuel. While roughly 80% of government revenues come from the oil and gas sector, the petrostate is making significant efforts to broaden its economic base, driven by massive investments in tech and renewable energy.

Falling next in line is Saudi Arabia, home to the world’s largest energy firm, Saudi Aramco. Overall, the company produces a tenth of the world’s oil, at 11 million barrels a day. With a population of nearly 37 million, Saudi Arabia’s GDP per capita is less than half of Qatar’s. This is likely due to more wealth being distributed across Qatar’s small population of 2.8 million.

In sharp contrast, Yemen has a GDP per capita of $465 per person, due an ongoing humanitarian crisis and a 10-year civil war. Also weighing on the economy’s prosperity are limited natural resources, also seen across Jordan, where GDP per capita falls at just $4,682.

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To learn more about this topic from a global perspective, check out this graphic on GDP per capita in Latin America in 2024.

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