Dubai’s economy maintained solid growth in 2025, highlighting the emirate’s resilience and sustained expansion.
The emirate generated an estimated AED355 billion in gross domestic product (GDP) during the first nine months of 2025, including AED113.8 billion in the third quarter alone. The economy grew 4.7% over the nine-month period and 5.3% in the third quarter compared with the same period in 2024, reflecting the strength of the local economy and the effectiveness of policies supporting long-term development.
Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, said Dubai’s economic progress reflects the strategic vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the result of coordinated execution across institutions and sectors. He noted that Dubai’s growth is driven by a dynamic economic system focused on people, talent development, and sustainable prosperity.
He also praised the collaborative efforts across industries, saying Dubai’s sectors are advancing collectively through coordination, stability, and a shared commitment to achieving leadership goals while creating opportunities for future generations.
Among the fastest-expanding sectors, human health and social work activities recorded 15.4% growth and contributed 1.5% to GDP. The financial and insurance sector also performed strongly, expanding 8.5% and accounting for 12% of GDP, whilst the construction sector grew 8.5%, contributing 6.7%.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said the emirate’s economic performance demonstrates its ability to sustain and accelerate growth under a clear and consistent development framework. He highlighted Dubai’s investment-friendly environment, which supports businesses of all sizes, attracts global talent, and strengthens collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 targets.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, attributed the strong performance to long-term planning, digital transformation, and investment in technology and human capital. He emphasised that Dubai’s technology-driven economy enhances resilience, fosters innovation, and strengthens the emirate’s global competitiveness.
Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said the emirate’s GDP growth reflects its ability to adapt to global economic shifts, supported by advanced data management that guides policy decisions and supports the development of a knowledge-based economy. He added that data integration between public and private sectors has improved decision-making and helped convert data into tangible economic value.
Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation, said growth is being driven by a wide range of sectors including trade, retail, finance, real estate, construction, technology, and tourism, alongside emerging industries such as healthcare. He stressed the importance of maintaining momentum through regulatory improvements, investment support, innovation programmes, and digital initiatives aimed at enhancing productivity and business competitiveness.
The healthcare and social work sector posted the strongest expansion during the first nine months of 2025, with value added reaching AED5.3 billion. In the third quarter, the sector grew 8.7% with added value rising to AED2 billion.
The financial and insurance sector generated AED42.8 billion during the first nine months, growing 8.5% year-on-year and contributing 12% to GDP. In the third quarter, the sector expanded 12.9%, adding AED12.6 billion.
The construction sector recorded AED23.9 billion in value during the nine-month period, contributing 6.7% to GDP, with growth of 8.5%. Third-quarter growth also reached 8.5%.
Dubai’s real estate sector expanded 6.7% during the first nine months, contributing 8.2% to GDP with total value of AED29.1 billion. In the third quarter, it grew 6%, reaching AED9.3 billion.
Other key sectors also recorded steady expansion. One sector grew 4.8% during the first nine months, contributing 4.7% to GDP, whilst another expanded 4.7%, reaching AED12 billion and contributing 3.4% to GDP.
Tourism growth supported economic activity, with Dubai welcoming 13.95 million international visitors during the first nine months of 2025, marking a 5% increase from the same period in 2024.
The wholesale and retail trade sector remained one of the largest contributors to the economy, reaching AED86.9 billion during the nine-month period, growing 4.6%. In the third quarter, the sector expanded 4.9%, contributing 25.9% to GDP.
Other sectors collectively recorded 2.2% growth during the first nine months and 2.9% growth in the third quarter compared with the previous year.
The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment said it is revising GDP time series and key economic indicators as part of efforts to enhance transparency and improve the accuracy and reliability of economic data to support decision-making and long-term development.
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