Dubai’s economy expanded 4.4 percent in the first half of 2025, reaching Dhs241 billion, according to new data released by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment.
The figures show continued momentum in key sectors, reinforcing the emirate’s position as one of the world’s fastest-growing urban economies.
Growth across sectors
In the second quarter alone, Dubai’s GDP rose 4.7 percent to Dhs122 billion. The strongest growth came from the human health and social work sector, which expanded 20 percent to Dhs3.3 billion, contributing 1.4 percent to total GDP. The construction sector also maintained strong performance, increasing 8.5 percent in the first half to Dhs16 billion and accounting for 6.7 percent of GDP.
The real estate sector grew 7 percent year-on-year to Dhs19.8 billion, supported by a 40 percent rise in property sales. Financial and insurance activities expanded 6.7 percent to Dhs30.2 billion, while the transport and storage sector increased 5.3 percent to Dhs10.8 billion.
The accommodation and food services sector, buoyed by nearly 9.9 million international visitors, rose 4.9 percent to Dhs8.7 billion. Wholesale and retail trade, Dubai’s largest sector, contributed 23.8 percent to GDP with Dhs57.4 billion, growing 4.4 percent in H1 2025.
His Highness 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: “Dubai’s 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.”
He added: “Each percentage point of growth is also the outcome of strong collaboration between diverse stakeholders, disciplined execution of strategies, and the emirate’s 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.”
Institutional perspectives
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director-General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said Dubai’s first-half performance “reflects the strong vision and leadership” of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and “highlights our city’s ability to continually adapt to shifting global dynamics.”
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said the growth “underscores the strength, resilience, and dynamism” of Dubai’s economy and advances the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the economy within a decade.
Younus Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said the results “reflect exceptional performance across key sectors and the effective collaboration between government entities and the private sector.”
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation, noted that the expansion “is the direct result of the creation and development of a business ecosystem purpose-built for agility and scale.”
Data recalibration underway
The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment said it is recalibrating GDP time series and other key indicators in line with international standards, using new data sources to provide a clearer view of Dubai’s economic landscape. The effort aims to enhance transparency and ensure the reliability of economic statistics supporting the emirate’s development objectives.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
