The Ministry of Economy announced that the country’s gross domestic product for the January to June period totalled AED 961.9 billion. Non-oil GDP expanded by 1.8 percent, reflecting the ongoing shift away from hydrocarbon dependence. This performance comes as the UAE continues to implement policies aimed at enhancing competitiveness and attracting investment across diverse industries.
According to the Central Bank of the UAE, the non-oil economy grew 4.8 percent in the first quarter of 2026, contributing 79.4 percent to overall GDP. The Q1 GDP stood at AED 485 billion with real growth of 3 percent year on year. These early-year figures provide context for the half-year aggregate reported by the ministry.
In parallel, non-oil foreign trade surged to AED 1.94 trillion during the first six months, marking a 13.1 percent increase from the same period in 2025, Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi stated. Non-oil exports reached a record AED 453 billion, up 23.9 percent, as the UAE strengthened ties with partners through comprehensive economic agreements. Al Zeyoudi highlighted that the trade results demonstrate the resilience and global confidence in the UAE economy.
The minister noted that trade with CEPA countries totalled AED 304.3 billion. China, Switzerland and India ranked as the top trading partners. The growth in exports signals a move toward a more production-oriented economic model.
Financial and insurance activities led non-oil expansion in the opening quarter, growing 17.3 percent and adding substantially to overall output, a Central Bank of the UAE assessment found. Construction and health sectors also posted strong gains of 8.1 percent and 7.7 percent respectively. Such sectoral performances are expected to support the full-year outlook.
The Central Bank of the UAE forecasts real GDP growth of 1.6 percent for 2026 before a projected jump to 10.4 percent in 2027. This trajectory is supported by fiscal buffers, infrastructure spending and targeted policy measures. The half-year results reinforce the effectiveness of the UAE’s economic diversification strategy.
