The UAE’s real GDP reached AED 961.9 billion in the first half of 2026, up 0.4 percent on the same period last year, according to preliminary data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
Non-oil activity drove the result, growing 1.8 percent and lifting the non-oil share of GDP to 79.2 percent, from 78.1 percent in the first half of 2025.
The sectoral breakdown shows where momentum concentrated. Financial and insurance activities posted the strongest growth at 14.8 percent, followed by information and communications at 7.3 percent, health and social work at 6 percent, construction at 5.1 percent, government activities at 3.6 percent, and real estate at 2.3 percent. Trade activities contributed the largest share of non-oil GDP at 16.2 percent, ahead of financial and insurance at 15.2 percent, construction at 13.1 percent, manufacturing at 11.8 percent, and real estate at 7.9 percent.
The second quarter told a different story. Real GDP for Q2 2026 came in at AED 476.9 billion, a 2.1 percent contraction compared with Q2 2025. Non-oil activities also declined 1.1 percent during the quarter. The FCSC attributed the softness to regional developments that weighed on tourism, transport, and trade.
The figures are preliminary estimates. The FCSC is running a comprehensive GDP revision programme alongside national statistical partners, with an updated time series scheduled for release after results are approved in Q1 2027.
