Dubai Real GDP Reaches AED 473 Billion in First Half of 2026

Dubai's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached approximately AED 473 billion in the first six months of 2026, compared with AED 484 billion during the same period in 2025, representing a 2.3 percent real contraction, according to official figures released by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai. Measured at current prices, GDP increased by 0.2 percent to reach AED 505 billion.

Expansion across high-value-added sectors supported overall economic performance amid global shifts. Healthcare and social work activities logged the fastest expansion, rising 14.3 percent year-on-year to reach AED 6.2 billion in value added. Financial and insurance activities expanded by 8.8 percent in real terms to AED 65.9 billion, increasing their contribution to the emirate's total GDP to 14 percent, up from 12.5 percent in the prior-year period.

The construction sector recorded 2.4 percent real growth, contributing AED 33.2 billion in value added. Information and communication activities grew by 2.7 percent to AED 24.7 billion, while utilities—covering electricity, water supply, and waste management—rose 5.4 percent. Government services and education expanded by 2.9 percent and 1.2 percent, respectively.

In contrast, several major commercial activities faced contraction during the first half. Wholesale and retail trade, Dubai's largest economic sector accounting for 20.5 percent of GDP, declined 6 percent in real terms. Transportation and storage fell 7.4 percent, while manufacturing slipped 0.9 percent. Real estate activities contracted 2.5 percent at constant prices, despite recording a 5.4 percent increase at current prices.