United Arab Emirates

Compared with South Africa, using real observed prices.

Baseline: South Africa = 1×

United Arab Emirates vs

South Africa

Overall verdict

United Arab Emirates is about 0.82× South Africa.

Average across 4 categories, 6 items with data

The shape of prices (vs South Africa = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is South Africa. A bar running right means United Arab Emirates is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

South Africa South Africa = 1×

United Arab Emirates is pricier →

🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×1.54
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×1.31
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.58
⚡ Utilities 1 item

×0.38

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In United Arab Emirates, Big Mac costs 1.5× what it does in South Africa — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.4×. What is expensive here is labour, not the goods that carry a world price.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

Big Mac 1 burger ×1.54

United Arab Emirates ZAR 84.57 AED 19

South Africa ZAR 54.90 ZAR 54.9

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×1.31

United Arab Emirates ZAR 1,049 AED 229

South Africa ZAR 799.00 ZAR 799

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Diesel 1L 1 L ×0.59

United Arab Emirates ZAR 16.10 USD 0.98

South Africa ZAR 27.44 USD 1.67

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×0.57

United Arab Emirates ZAR 14.72 USD 0.896

South Africa ZAR 25.62 USD 1.559

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.38

United Arab Emirates ZAR 1.34 USD 0.08

South Africa ZAR 3.51 USD 0.209

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com