The economy of Dubai has continued on its upward trajectory, achieving significant milestones that reaffirm its leadership position. In the first half of the current year, the emirate’s gross domestic product (GDP) reached approximately 241 billion dirhams, with 122 billion dirhams generated in the second quarter alone. This represents a remarkable growth of 4.4% in the first half and 4.7% in the second quarter, compared to the same period last year.
In this context, His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Vice President of the Council of Ministers, expressed: “This outstanding economic performance reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President of the UAE, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. This vision has established a model for sustainable growth based on innovation, diversity, flexibility, and global competitiveness. Furthermore, this strong performance showcases the effectiveness of the emirate’s long-term planning and forward-looking policies that create renewed opportunities for investment and talent acquisition. The robust economic results are fueled by the remarkable achievements of key sectors, which form a crucial foundation for sustained growth and enhanced global competitiveness for Dubai’s economy.”
He further added, “This growth results directly from the integration of roles between the public and private sectors, effective governance systems, and high implementation efficiency, demonstrating a solid capacity to adapt to global changes. The outcomes achieved in the first half of this year represent an acceleration in the application of Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of the economy by 2033 and secure Dubai’s position among the top three economic cities worldwide. Looking to the future, we will continue to launch initiatives and build partnerships that enhance Dubai’s status as a leading global hub for investment, innovation, and opportunity creation.”
The human health and social work sectors posted the most significant growth, achieving a 20% increase, contributing 1.4% to the GDP. The construction sector also saw substantial growth of 8.5%, contributing 6.7% to the GDP during the first half of the year.
His Excellency Helal Saeed Al Marri, Director General of the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department, stated: “These results affirm the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and reflect the emirate’s ability to adapt and respond effectively to global challenges, while continuing to achieve more milestones in alignment with the D33 Economic Agenda. They embody the real partnership and fruitful collaboration between the public and private sectors, characterized by a shared ambition and strategic alignment.”
He added: “Dubai’s economy continues to demonstrate high levels of competitiveness, flexibility, and adaptability across all vital sectors, attracting investors, entrepreneurs, and talented individuals from around the globe, while focusing on enhancing local capabilities and establishing Dubai as a center for global expansion. As we look to the future, we will continue to concentrate on building a knowledge-based economy that keeps pace with modern trends, maintaining strong momentum, and providing more opportunities for investment and innovation.”
Commenting on these results, His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Dubai Digital, remarked: “The remarkable economic performance recorded by Dubai in the first half of 2025 reflects the strength of its economic ecosystem and its resilience in adapting to changes while enhancing its sustainable competitiveness. This momentum is a fundamental pillar toward achieving the objectives of the D33 Economic Agenda which aims to double the economy by 2033, placing Dubai among the top three economic cities in the world, in line with Dubai’s strategic priorities.”
He added: “The wise leadership has laid solid foundations for sustainable development, strengthening Dubai’s position as a prominent economic hub and an attractive investment destination across all sectors. We in Dubai Digital are committed to supporting this journey by accelerating digital transformation efforts, empowering initiatives, and leveraging the latest technologies to serve different sectors, enhancing business efficiency, ensuring sustained growth, and establishing Dubai as a leading global digital economic city.”
Exceptional Performance
In a related statement, His Excellency Younis Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said: “The results achieved by Dubai’s economy in the first half of 2025 reflect the exceptional performance of various vital sectors and the synergy between the public and private sectors in building a future that reinforces Dubai’s leadership and distinctiveness as a city that employs instantaneous databases utilizing advanced technologies, including analytical data, to assess the present, forecast the future, make plans, and make sound decisions. We at the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment continue to provide accurate and reliable data, facilitating access and analysis through innovative methods that contribute to enhancing Dubai’s economic competitiveness and support its objectives in all fields. The achievements we see today demonstrate Dubai’s success in translating its visions and ambitions into tangible realities that positively influence its present and future.”
His Excellency Hadi Badri, Executive Director of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, the economic development arm of the Dubai Economy and Tourism Department, noted: “The strong growth we’ve experienced in the health, construction, real estate, and financial services sectors, in particular, is the result of establishing and developing a tailored business system characterized by flexibility and scalability.”
He explained: “The growth achieved in the first half of this year confirms the effectiveness of supportive policies for innovation in Dubai, which continue to enhance the emirate’s competitiveness and attractiveness for high-value investments. Our institution will continue to leverage this momentum and innovate new growth pathways with the support of our partners in both the public and private sectors. In the coming phase, we will capitalize on these gains by diversifying the economy and strengthening Dubai’s position as one of the most vibrant cities in the global economy.”
Human Health and Social Work Activities
The human health and social work sector recorded the highest growth rate in the first half of 2025, achieving a growth of 20% with a total added value of 3.3 billion dirhams, contributing 1.4% to the GDP.
The sector continued its strong performance during the second quarter, recording a growth rate of 12.8%, reaching an added value of 1.4 billion dirhams compared to 1.2 billion dirhams in the same period last year, contributing 1.2% to the emirate’s GDP.
Construction Sector
The indicators for the first half of 2025 showcased the exceptional performance of the construction sector, which continued to achieve positive results reflecting its vital role in supporting economic activities. The sector’s added value amounted to approximately 16 billion dirhams, contributing 6.7% to the GDP, with a growth rate of 8.5% compared to the first half of the previous year.
This performance was driven by increased government spending on development projects in the second quarter, where the sector achieved a growth rate of 14.9%, contributing 6.2% to the GDP, thus bolstering economic activity during this period.
Real Estate Activities
This sector achieved a growth rate of 6.4% during the second quarter of 2025, with a contribution of 8.9% to the emirate’s GDP, representing a total of 10.8 billion dirhams.
In the first half of this year, the sector’s growth rate reached 7%, contributing 8.2% to the GDP, with an overall value of 19.8 billion dirhams compared to 18.5 billion dirhams recorded during the same period in 2024. This growth was attributed to a 40% increase in real estate sales compared to the first half of last year.
Financial and Insurance Activities
In the second quarter, this sector achieved a growth rate of 7.7% compared to the same period last year, totaling 14.2 billion dirhams compared to 13.2 billion dirhams in the same timeframe in 2024, rising its contribution to the emirate’s GDP to 11.6%.
For the first half of this year, the growth rate of this sector was 6.7%, contributing 12.5% to the GDP with an added value of 30.2 billion dirhams.
Information and Communications Sector
This sector achieved a growth rate of 7.4% during the second quarter of 2025, totaling 5.5 billion dirhams, with a contribution of 4.5% to the GDP.
In the first half of this year, the sector’s growth rate was 5.3%, contributing 4.5% to the GDP with an added value of 10.8 billion dirhams compared to 10.2 billion dirhams during the same period in 2024.
Accommodation and Food Services Activities
In the second quarter of this year, this sector recorded a growth rate of 6.9% compared to the same period last year, totaling 3.8 billion dirhams, up from 3.5 billion dirhams during the same timeframe last year, contributing 3.1% to the emirate’s GDP.
In the first half of this year, the growth rate was 4.9%, contributing 3.6% to the GDP with a total of 8.7 billion dirhams compared to 8.3 billion dirhams from the same period last year. This growth coincided with an increase in international visitors, as Dubai welcomed 9.88 million international tourists in the first half of 2025, a growth of 6% compared to the same period in 2024.
Wholesale and Retail Trade
The sector reached a value of 29.9 billion dirhams during the second quarter of 2025, achieving a growth rate of 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. The sector recorded a growth of 4.4% during the first half of this year, contributing 23.8% with a total of 57.4 billion dirhams to the GDP.
Furthermore, other sectors experienced varying growth rates during the first half of 2025, collectively achieving a growth of 1.8%.
It is worth noting that the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment is currently engaged in reassessing the historical series of GDP and other economic indicators in line with international standards and the review policies of the national accounts system. This is due to the availability of more comprehensive data reflecting the economic changes in Dubai more transparently, relying on record and field data sources. These efforts align with the establishment’s values of enhancing transparency and improving the quality and reliability of statistical data, contributing to the emirate’s developmental goals.