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EconomyAnalysis|May 31, 2026, 12:10 PM
DUBAI IMPACT:

UAE's $517bn GDP Shows Non-Oil Sectors Carrying Growth Load

BySendTech Times Capital & Policy DeskNewsroom-edited, source-reviewed coverage|Source: The National
Newsroom brief

The UAE economy expanded 6.2 percent in 2025 to reach Dh1.9 trillion, or about $517.2 billion. Non-oil GDP grew faster at 6.8 percent, led by trade, finance, construction, manufacturing, real estate and transport. The data strengthens the UAE's diversification narrative as investors watch whether the growth mix can withstand regional energy and geopolitical volatility.

Verified against source materialEdited by SendTech Times Capital & Policy Desk
UAE's $517bn GDP Shows Non-Oil Sectors Carrying Growth Load
Image source: The National

The UAE's 2025 GDP data shows a growth story increasingly carried by non-oil sectors rather than energy alone.

Wam data reported by The National put gross domestic product at Dh1.9 trillion, or about $517.2 billion, up 6.2 percent from a year earlier.

Non-oil GDP grew faster at 6.8 percent to Dh1.5 trillion, reinforcing the government's diversification message.

The sector signal

Trade remained the biggest contributor, accounting for nearly 17 percent of GDP.

Finance and insurance contributed 13.2 percent, construction 12.9 percent and manufacturing 12.8 percent.

The fastest expansion came from construction, which grew more than 11 percent, followed by finance and insurance at 10.4 percent, real estate at 7.9 percent, and transport and storage at 7.8 percent.

That mix matters because it suggests the expansion is spread across services, building activity, industry and logistics, not concentrated in one cyclical area.

Why it matters

Economy Minister Abdulla bin Touq said the results reflected the effectiveness of the UAE's diversified economic model and the growing role of new-economy industries.

The figures also support the We the UAE 2031 strategy, which prioritizes jobs, digital efficiency, sustainability and a stronger long-term economy.

The investment backdrop is also relevant.

The National reported that the country continues to attract domestic and international capital, with major asset managers choosing the UAE, especially Abu Dhabi, as a regional base.

Abu Dhabi is home to institutions including the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Mubadala Investment Company.

Investor takeaway

The data comes alongside a sharp rise in non-oil trade.

UAE non-oil foreign trade exceeded $1 trillion for the first time in 2025 after rising 26 percent, while Abu Dhabi's non-oil foreign trade surpassed Dh415.4 billion.

Fitch Ratings also maintained the UAE's AA- rating and stable outlook, citing fiscal buffers.

For investors, the signal is that headline growth, trade depth and institutional capital are reinforcing the UAE's position as a Gulf business hub, even as regional energy and geopolitical risks remain part of the outlook.

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