Dubai’s Economy Grows by 4.4% to Touch Dh241B in H1 2025
Growth was driven by strong gains in trade, real estate, and finance, while healthcare surged 20%—the highest among all sectors.
Topics
News
- Dubai’s Economy Grows by 4.4% to Touch Dh241B in H1 2025
- Scam Ads Fueling Meta’s 10% Revenue, Reveal Internal Report
- Qualcomm Bets Big on AI’s Next Wave, Calling the Boom ‘Underestimated’
- AI’s Impact Could Spur New ‘Ministries for the Future,’ Say Policy Leaders
- Watch Out for These 3 Possible Bubbles in Global Economy, Warns WEF Chief
- Microsoft, G42 Announce Major UAE Data Centre Expansion
[Image source: Krishna Prasad/MITSMR Middle East]
In the first half of 2025, Dubai’s economy has grown exponentially, with its GDP rising 4.4% to reach Dh241 billion ($65.62 billion). The emirate’s GDP climbed 4.7% in the second quarter alone to touch Dh122B ($33.22 billion).
“Each percentage point of growth is also the outcome of strong collaboration between diverse stakeholders, disciplined execution of strategies, and the emirate’s ability to turn global challenges into new possibilities for progress,” said Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
He also credited Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership, which has created a unique model of sustainable growth defined by innovation, excellence, and global competitiveness.
“The high GDP growth in the first half of the year reaffirms the progress of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which continues to translate our vision into measurable results,” Maktoum added.
Among all sectors, human health and social work posted the highest growth rate in both time periods, rising 20% in H1 to reach Dh3.3B ($0.90B) and contributing 1.4% to overall GDP. Meanwhile, it grew by 12.8% to Dh1.4B ($0.38B) in Q2.
Dubai’s largest economic contributor, the wholesale and retail trade sector, grew 4.4% to Dh57.4B ($15.63B), accounting for 23.8% of total GDP.
Meanwhile, construction, real estate, and financial and insurance emerged as key contributors. The construction sector had a value addition of Dh16B ($4.36B) in H1 2025, contributing 6.7% to GDP and recording 8.5% growth year-over-year. In Q2, the sector grew by 14.9%, contributing 6.2% to GDP, supported by increased government spending on development projects.
The real estate sector grew by 7% in H1, contributing 8.2% to GDP with a value addition of Dh19.8B ($5.39B). The growth was driven by a 40% increase in property sales, reflecting ongoing investor confidence and strong end-user demand.
The financial and insurance sector grew by 6.7% during H1 to contribute 12.5% to GDP, adding Dh30.2B ($8.22B). The transportation and storage sector grew 5.3% in H1 to Dh10.8B ($2.94B), bolstered by Dubai’s thriving logistics ecosystem.
“We remain committed to advancing initiatives and forging partnerships that further strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global economic hub,” he added.
