The UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism outlined projections for 5 percent growth in the national economy alongside 5.5 percent expansion in non-oil sectors for 2026 according to a statement distributed by the Emirates News Agency. Non-oil sectors are expected to account for 78 percent of the country’s GDP that year the minister’s assessment found. These forecasts align with policies designed to sustain momentum from recent performance while adapting to global economic conditions.
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre reported that real GDP grew 6.2 percent in 2025 to reach $517 billion with non-oil GDP rising 6.8 percent to $408 billion. Construction expanded 11.1 percent finance and insurance grew 10.4 percent and transport and storage increased 7.8 percent that year according to the centre’s figures. Trade maintained the largest share of non-oil GDP at 16.9 percent followed by finance and insurance at 13.2 percent the centre’s data showed.
Non-oil activities contributed 77.3 percent to real GDP in the first quarter of 2025 a record level the Ministry of Economy and Tourism reported at the time. This share rose from previous years as oil-related activities accounted for 22.7 percent in that period according to ministry data. The 2026 projections reflect a moderated but steady pace that builds on these diversification outcomes.
A PwC Middle East review of GCC economic trends placed the UAE among the region’s stronger performers with non-oil growth outpacing many peers over the past two years. The International Monetary Fund had projected around 4 percent overall growth for 2025 an estimate the actual 6.2 percent outcome exceeded according to Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre releases. Such results have supported confidence in the trajectory toward the We the UAE 2031 vision which aims to expand total GDP to AED 3 trillion by the end of the decade the ministry has stated.
Tourism remains a central pillar within the non-oil framework with the combined Economy and Tourism portfolio driving initiatives to attract visitors and investment the minister noted in related briefings. The sector’s resilience has complemented gains in finance manufacturing and logistics according to Central Bank of the UAE assessments. These areas have helped position the UAE as a hub for business and innovation across the broader Middle East.
The minister’s February 2026 statement emphasised flexible policies that respond to international developments while reinforcing competitiveness. Earlier data from the first half of 2025 showed non-oil GDP growth at 5.7 percent with overall expansion at 4.2 percent the Ministry of Economy and Tourism reported. This performance has drawn increased foreign direct investment which rose nearly 49 percent year-on-year in recent measurements according to official statistics.
