Dubai’s real GDP at Dh473 billion in first half of 2026

DUBAI: Dubai’s GDP reached Dh473 billion in the first half of this year. According to figures for the first half of 2026 released by the Dubai government, the results reflect continued growth across several strategic sectors. These include financial and insurance activities, human health and social work, information and communication, and construction.

According to the Emirati media, a report by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, under Digital Dubai, says the results highlight the resilience of Dubai’s economy, the diversity of its productive base and continued progress in a number of high-value sectors. The United Arab Emirates is working to strengthen its competitiveness and create new opportunities for growth, while providing a favourable environment for business, investment and talent.

Dubai’s performance came at a time of rapid change in the global economic environment, which affected various activities to some degree. The diversity of the economic base helped to limit these effects somewhat, while high-value sectors continued to expand.

GDP figures

Real GDP in the first half of 2026 stood at about Dh473 billion, against about Dh484 billion in the same period of 2025, a slight decline of 2.3 per cent. GDP at current prices was about Dh505 billion, a growth rate of 0.2 per cent.

Financial and insurance activities recorded real growth of 8.8 per cent. Their value added rose to about Dh65.9 billion, from Dh60.6 billion in the same period of 2025. Their share in total domestic output was 14 per cent, against 12.5 per cent last year. At current prices, the sector grew by 8.1 per cent and generated value added of Dh64 billion.

Human health and social work recorded real growth of 14.3 per cent. At current prices, the increase was 16.7 per cent. At constant prices, value added rose to about Dh6.2 billion, against about Dh5.4 billion in the same period of 2025.

Electricity, gas, water supply and waste management grew by 5.4 per cent at constant prices. Real value added reached about Dh10.2 billion, up from about Dh9.7 billion. At current prices, value added in these sectors was about Dh10.6 billion, showing growth of 7.4 per cent.

Information and communication recorded growth of 2.7 per cent at constant prices and 1.6 per cent at current prices. Value added at constant prices rose to about Dh24.7 billion, against about Dh24 billion in the same period of 2025. The figures reflect continued growth in the digital economy and technology-related activities.

Construction recorded real growth of 2.4 per cent, and its value added at constant prices reached about Dh33.2 billion. At current prices, the sector’s value added was about Dh35.3 billion, representing growth of 8.6 per cent.

Government services grew by 2.9 per cent at constant prices and 5.7 per cent at current prices. Educational activities also recorded growth of 1.2 per cent at constant prices and 1.5 per cent at current prices.

Hilal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said Dubai’s GDP in the first half of 2026 reflects the strength and adaptability of an economy designed to move forward even during severe global uncertainty.

He said continued annual growth across various strategic and future-focused sectors shows the strength and depth of Dubai’s economic foundations. It also proves the effectiveness of sustained focus on the sectors that will shape long-term growth, he said.