UAE Non-Oil GDP Grows 6.1%
- 21.02.2026
- Posted by: Uwe Hohmann
- Categories: Dubai, Middle East
The UAE economy grew 5.1% year-on-year in the first nine months of 2025, with total GDP reaching approximately AED 1.4 trillion. The real story, however, is the non-oil sector, which expanded by 6.1% and crossed the AED 1 trillion mark.
These numbers were released by the FCSC (Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre) and confirmed by the Minister of Economy and Tourism. They attributed the performance to the UAE’s ongoing shift toward a diversified, knowledge-based economy, in line with the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to double national GDP to AED 3 trillion within the next decade.
Where the Growth Is Coming From
Financial and insurance activities led sectoral growth at 9%, followed by construction at 8.7%, real estate at 7.9%, and manufacturing at 6.9%.
Looking at total contribution to non-oil GDP, wholesale and retail trade remains the largest segment at 16.1%. Manufacturing leads at 13.9%, followed by financial services at 13.5% and construction at 11.9%. Growth is not concentrated in one area. It spans the sectors that form the backbone of the UAE’s modern economy.
What This Means in Practice
For business owners and professionals in the UAE, these numbers mean a few things worth noting.
First, demand is rising across multiple industries. When construction and real estate are growing at close to 8% or above, the ripple effects reach far beyond those sectors. Service providers, consultants, suppliers, and supporting businesses all benefit from that.
Second, the financial sector’s 9% growth points to a maturing market. Access to financing, insurance, and other financial products continues to improve. That is good news for businesses at every stage, whether you are just starting out or looking to expand. The regulatory environment continues to evolve in step with economic growth. The UAE government has been proactive in introducing reforms that make it easier to do business here. But growth also means increased expectations around compliance. CIT (Corporate Income Tax), VAT (Value Added Tax), AML (Anti-Money Laundering), and UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Ownership) requirements all demand attention, and the cost of getting them wrong is rising.
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