Dubai GDP Q1 2026: Emirate posts AED 232 billion and 2.4% growth
Dubai GDP Q1 2026 grows 2.4% year-on-year to AED 232 billion, led by health, construction and wholesale-retail sectors.
Dubai GDP Q1 2026 showed resilience in the first quarter of the year, with total output reaching AED 232 billion and an annual growth rate of 2.4 percent.
The updated GDP series, compiled using recent surveys and administrative records, confirms broad-based gains across health, construction, utilities and trade sectors.
Dubai records AED 232 billion GDP in Q1 2026
Dubai’s economy expanded modestly in Q1 2026, underpinned by sectoral diversification and policy continuity.
Authorities said the revised GDP estimates reflect improved source data and adherence to international statistical standards, which enhanced the precision of reported figures.
The 2.4 percent year‑on‑year rise signals steady momentum following policy measures to boost competitiveness, attract investment and support private‑sector activity.
Health services and construction drive above‑average growth
The human health and social work sector led percentage growth, rising by 17.5 percent and adding AED 3.6 billion in value‑added output.
Utilities — including electricity, gas and water plus waste management — expanded by 8.4 percent, while construction grew by 8.2 percent and accounted for some 8.1 percent of Dubai’s GDP.
These gains reflect rising public and private spending on infrastructure, healthcare capacity expansion and ongoing project activity across the emirate.
Wholesale, retail and real estate remain largest value contributors
Wholesale and retail trade continued to be the single largest contributor to the economy, with real value added of AED 50.9 billion, representing roughly 22 percent of Dubai’s output.
That sector’s growth of 2.6 percent supported about 0.57 percentage points of the overall expansion in Q1.
Real estate value added reached AED 26.0 billion, growing 3.1 percent and contributing 11.2 percent to GDP, underscoring the continued importance of property activity to the emirate’s economic base.
Information, communications and administrative services sustain tech‑led progress
The information and communications sector recorded growth of 2.7 percent, generating AED 12.1 billion in value added and contributing around 5.2 percent to GDP.
Administrative and support services grew by 3.6 percent to AED 10.5 billion, accounting for 4.5 percent of output.
Together these sectors reflect ongoing investment in digital infrastructure, business services and productivity enhancements across government and private enterprises.
Officials point to strategic planning, data investment and public‑private partnership
Dubai Economy and Tourism Director General Hilal Saeed Al Merri said the first‑quarter results demonstrate the emirate’s “firm foundations” and the effectiveness of long‑term planning led by Dubai’s leadership.
Dubai Digital officials highlighted the role of digital transformation and data‑driven decision making in strengthening resilience and enabling targeted economic policies.
Leaders from Dubai Data and Statistics, and the emirate’s economic development arm, noted that investment in a robust data ecosystem has improved forecasting and policy calibration, helping to attract global investors and support small and medium enterprises.
Revisions to the GDP series and implications for policy
The authorities updated the GDP series at the start of 2026 using the latest survey results and administrative records to align with best statistical practice.
That methodological refresh improved the accuracy of sectoral weights and helped clarify the contributions of high‑growth activities such as health and utilities.
Policymakers said the revised figures will inform fiscal planning, targeted stimulus measures and initiatives under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to place the city among the world’s top three economic centres.
Dubai’s economic performance in the first quarter reflects a blend of structural strengths and tactical policy responses, with trade, construction, health and digital services all contributing to growth.
Looking ahead, officials emphasised the importance of sustained public‑private collaboration, continued investment in data and digital tools, and policies to support innovation and talent attraction.
Those priorities, they said, will be central to accelerating growth across the remainder of 2026 and toward the emirate’s medium‑term development goals.
