Dubai‘s economy has grown 4.4 per cent in the first half of 2025, reaching AED241 billion and surpassing projections, consolidating its position as one of the world’s most vibrant and competitive urban economies.
The emirate’s GDP climbed 4.7 per cent to AED 122 billion in the second quarter alone.
This performance was driven by results across key sectors that continue to underpin Dubai’s growth and resilience.
Dubai GDP grows 4.4% in first half of 2025
“Dubaiโs economic performance reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, whose leadership has created a unique model of sustainable growth defined by innovation, excellence and global competitiveness. This vision continues to create new opportunities for investment, enterprise, and talent, underpinned by long-term planning and forward-looking policies,” Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai said in a statement.
“Each percentage point of growth is also the outcome of strong collaboration between diverse stakeholders, disciplined execution of strategies, and the emirateโs ability to turn global challenges into new possibilities for progress. Further, the high GDP growth in the first half of the year reaffirms the progress of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which continues to translate our vision into measurable results. As we look ahead, we remain committed to advancing initiatives and forging partnerships that further strengthen Dubaiโs position as a leading global economic hub,” he added.
The human health and social work activities sector recorded the highest growth, expanding 20 per cent and contributing 1.4 per cent to overall GDP growth.
The construction sector also maintained strong momentum, growing 8.5 per cent and contributing 6.7 per cent to Dubai’s GDP in the first half of 2025.
“Dubaiโs first-half GDP performance reflects the strong vision and leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. It highlights our cityโs ability to continually adapt to shifting global dynamics, while advancing the long-term objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. The results also highlight the strength of Dubaiโs public-private sector partnerships, which continue to be characterised by shared ambition and strategic alignment,” Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) explained.
“Dubaiโs economy continues to demonstrate competitiveness, resilience, and agility across its bellwether sectors and new and high growth horizons, consistently attracting investors, entrepreneurs and talent from around the world, while also developing homegrown capabilities and becoming a launchpad for global expansion. As we look ahead, we remain focused on building a future-ready, knowledge-driven economy that sustains momentum and also yields further opportunities for investment and innovation,” he added.
“Dubaiโs exceptional economic performance in the first half of 2025 underscores the strength, resilience, and dynamism of its economy, demonstrating its ability to adapt to global changes while sustaining long-term competitiveness. This growth continues to advance the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the economy within the next decade and position Dubai among the worldโs top three urban economies, in line with the emirateโs long-term strategic vision,” Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai.
“Guided by our visionary leadership, Dubai has built a solid foundation for sustainable development, strengthening its position as a leading global hub for business and investment. At Digital Dubai, we take pride in driving this journey by accelerating digital transformation, advancing technology adoption across all sectors, and enhancing operational efficiency to ensure sustained growth and reinforce Dubaiโs position as a global leader in digital innovation,” he added.
Health sector achieves highest growth rate followed by Dubai construction centre
The human health and social work activities sector achieved the highest growth rate in both the second quarter and first half of 2025, expanding 20 per cent in the first half to reach AED3.3 billion, contributing 1.4 per cent to total GDP. In the second quarter alone, it grew by 12.8 per cent to AED 1.4 billion, compared to AED1.2 billion in the same period of 2024.
The construction sector maintained remarkable growth, with a value added of AED16 billion in the first half of 2025, contributing 6.7 per cent to GDP and recording 8.5 per cent growth year-on-year. In the second quarter, the sector grew by 14.9 per cent, contributing 6.2 per cent to GDP supported by increased government spending on development projects that boosted economic activity.
“The remarkable outcomes achieved by Dubaiโs economy in the first half of 2025 reflect exceptional performance across key sectors and the effective collaboration between government entities and the private sector. This partnership continues to shape a future where Dubai, a city powered by real-time data, leads through innovation, technology, and data-driven decision-making. At the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, we remain committed to providing accurate, reliable data and enabling innovative analysis that supports Dubaiโs economic competitiveness and strategic goals. The progress we see today is evidence of Dubaiโs success in transforming its vision and ambitions into tangible outcomes that positively shape its present and future,” Younus Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, part of Digital Dubai said.
Real estate sales surge 40% in first half
The real estate activities sector expanded 6.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, contributing 8.9 per cent to GDP with a total value of AED10.8 billion.
Over the first half of the year, it grew 7 per cent, contributing 8.2 per cent to GDP, with a total value added of AED19.8 billion, up from AED18.5 billion in the first half of 2024.
This growth results from a 40 per cent increase in real estate sales during the first half of 2025.
Financial and insurance activities contribute 12.5% to GDP
The financial and insurance activities sector recorded 7.7 per cent growth in the second quarter of 2025, reaching AED14.2 billion, compared to AED13.2 billion a year earlier, with a contribution of 11.6 per cent to GDP.
For the first half of 2025, it achieved 6.7% growth, contributing 12.5% to GDP, with a total value added of AED30.2 billion.
The information and communications sector grew by 7.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, reaching AED5.5 billion and contributing 4.5 per cent to GDP.
In the first half of 2025, it expanded 5.3 per cent, contributing 4.5 per cent to GDP with a total added value of AED10.8 billion, up from AED10.2 billion in the first half of 2024.
“The robust expansion we witnessed โ particularly in health, construction, real estate, and financial services โ is the direct result of the creation and development of a business ecosystem purpose-built for agility and scale. The H1 growth also reflects the effectiveness of Dubaiโs innovation-friendly policies that continue to enhance competitiveness and attract high-value investment. At DEDC, we remain focused on building on this positive trajectory to create new growth pathways with the support of our public and private sector partners. As we enter the next phase, we will capitalise on these gains by broadening economic diversification and further strengthening Dubaiโs position among the worldโs most dynamic metropolitan economies,” Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of DET said.
Accommodation and food services align with visitor growth
In the second quarter of 2025, the accommodation and food services sector grew by 6.9 per cent, reaching AED3.8 billion, up from AED3.5 billion in the second quarter of 2024, contributing 3.1 per cent to GDP.
Over the first half of 2025, it recorded 4.9 per cent growth, contributing 3.6 per cent to GDP, with a total value added of AED8.7 billion, compared to AED8.3 billion last year.
This growth aligns with an increase in the number of international visitors, which reached 9.88 million in the first half of 2025, up 6% compared to the same period last year.
Wholesale and retail trade reaches AED 57.4 billion
The wholesale and retail trade sector reached AED 29.9 billion in the second quarter of 2025 growing 4.3 per cent. In the first half of 2025, it achieved 4.4 per cent growth, contributing 23.8 per cent to the GDP and totalling AED57.4 billion.
Other sectors collectively recorded 1.8 per cent growth during the first half of 2025.
The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment is currently undertaking a recalibration of the GDP time series and other key economic indicators, in line with international standards and the revision policy of the System of National Accounts.
This process leverages newly available, more comprehensive data sources that provide a clearer picture of Dubai’s evolving economic landscape, combining both administrative and field data.
These ongoing efforts underscore the Establishment’s dedication to transparency and to improving the accuracy and reliability of statistical data in support of Dubai’s developmental objectives.
