The UAE’s real gross domestic product grew by 3% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching AED 485 billion at constant prices. The positive performance reflects the continued strength of the national economy and its ability to sustain growth despite regional challenges.
Non-oil GDP increased by 4.8% during the same period, while the contribution of non-oil activities to the national economy rose to 79.4%, confirming the country’s continued progress in implementing economic diversification policies and expanding its base of productive sectors.
The results also demonstrate the resilience of the UAE economy. Growth was achieved during a period marked by several regional challenges whose impact remained limited to a small number of activities and did not significantly affect the economy’s overall growth trajectory.
Data from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre showed that the contribution of non-oil activities to GDP increased to 79.4% in the first quarter of 2026, compared with 78% during the same period of the previous year.
The increase reflects the effectiveness of the UAE’s development policies in promoting economic diversification, expanding the contribution of high-value-added activities, and supporting the transition toward an economy built on knowledge, innovation, and sustainability, in line with the goals of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
His Excellency Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, affirmed that the performance of the UAE economy during this important stage reflects the success of development policies aimed at increasing the contribution of non-oil sectors to the national economy. He said the rise in the contribution of non-oil activities to GDP to 79.4% represents an important qualitative step toward achieving the objectives of Vision 2031.
His Excellency said: “The results of the first quarter of 2026 reflect the ability of the UAE government system to transform the strategic vision of the wise leadership into tangible economic results that serve people and the future. Growth led by the non-oil economy, through sectors such as finance, trade, information technology, and telecommunications, which made a significant contribution to non-oil GDP growth in the first quarter of 2026, bringing its share to 79.4%, is not an isolated figure. Rather, it is the result of integrated government policies and initiatives working as one system toward one goal: consolidating the UAE’s position as a leading global nation in competitiveness, excellence, and readiness for the future.”
His Excellency added: “We continue to work with our partners in the government and private sectors to ensure that economic performance remains a true reflection of the quality of life and opportunities the country provides to its citizens, residents, and investors from around the world.”
Financial Sector Records the Highest Growth Rate
A group of economic activities recorded strong growth during the first quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, reflecting the strength of key sectors and the diversity of the UAE economy’s growth drivers.
Financial and insurance activities topped the list of the fastest-growing sectors, expanding by 17.3%, followed by construction, which grew by 8.1%.
Human health and social work activities recorded growth of 7.7%, while information and communication activities increased by 5.9%.
Professional, scientific, and technical activities, along with administrative and support service activities, grew by 4.9%, indicating continued momentum in high-value-added economic sectors.
Growth in Real Estate, Trade, and Government Services
The data also showed positive performance across several other economic activities, with real estate activities growing by 4.8% during the first quarter of the year.
Public administration, defense, and compulsory social security activities increased by 4.5%, while wholesale and retail trade activities grew by 2.6%.
This performance confirms the continued expansion of the UAE’s productive base and the broad distribution of growth across multiple sectors, including finance, construction, real estate, trade, technology, healthcare, and professional services.
Financial Activities Make the Largest Contribution to Non-Oil Growth
In terms of actual contribution to non-oil GDP growth, financial and insurance activities ranked first, contributing 2.44 percentage points.
Construction came second with a contribution of 1.04 percentage points, followed by wholesale and retail trade with 0.42 percentage points.
Real estate activities contributed approximately 0.36 percentage points, while professional, scientific, and technical activities, along with administrative and support services, contributed around 0.29 percentage points.
These indicators highlight the growing diversity of the UAE’s economic growth drivers and their increasing alignment with the sectors identified as priorities in the country’s long-term development and investment plans.
UAE Business Environment Strengthens Economic Competitiveness
In this regard, His Excellency Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said the results reflect the strength of the national economy and its ability to continue growing.
His Excellency said: “The results of the first quarter of 2026 reflect the strength of the national economy’s performance and its ability to continue growing and enhancing its competitiveness at the regional and global levels. This embodies the success of the wise leadership’s vision and directives, as well as the policies and legislation adopted by the country to promote economic diversification. Non-oil sectors continue to lead growth, raising their contribution to 79.4% of GDP, supporting the UAE’s sustainable economic growth and consolidating its position as a global center for business and investment.”
His Excellency added: “The strong performance of non-oil sectors confirms the resilience and competitiveness of the UAE business environment, which has developed continuously over recent years. It also reflects the country’s vision of transitioning toward a more diversified and sustainable economic model, capable of adapting to global changes and continuing its growth journey, in line with the objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to double the size of the national economy to AED 3 trillion by 2031.”
The results demonstrate the success of the UAE’s legislative and economic environment in supporting business growth, attracting high-quality investments, and strengthening the private sector’s role in leading new economic activities.
Foreign Trade Supports Non-Oil Sector Growth
The GDP growth results are consistent with the strong performance of the UAE’s foreign trade, supported by the expansion of the country’s network of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements and their success in opening additional markets for national products and services.
This expansion has supported manufacturing, trade, and logistics activities while strengthening the UAE’s position as a major center for trade and investment at both the regional and global levels.
For his part, His Excellency Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Foreign Trade, said: “The country’s GDP growth results in the first quarter of 2026 reflect the success of the wise leadership’s vision in continuing to build a more open and globally competitive economy. They also confirm the soundness of the approach based on expanding trade and investment partnerships and strengthening the UAE’s integration into the global economy through the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements program. This opens new prospects for growth, consolidates the country’s position as a global gateway for international trade, and enhances its attractiveness to high-quality investments.”
His Excellency added: “This approach is clearly reflected in the record performance of non-oil foreign trade, as the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements continue to open new markets for UAE exports of goods and services. This supports the growth of non-oil sectors, strengthens their contribution to GDP, and advances sustainable economic development. Non-oil exports grew by 23.9% during the first half of 2026, reaching AED 452.8 billion and recording the highest growth rate among the components of the country’s foreign trade. This confirms the pivotal role of trade openness in stimulating national production and enhancing the competitiveness of the industrial and service sectors as two of the country’s most important drivers of economic diversification.”
Comprehensive Development of the National Statistical System
As part of efforts to develop the national statistical system, the UAE is conducting a comprehensive review of its GDP accounts. The process includes integrating new data sources and expanding statistical coverage to include free zones.
The review also involves standardizing and aligning methodologies with leading international standards and practices, with the aim of improving the accuracy of economic measurement and providing a more comprehensive picture of the size and performance of the national economy.
This step is expected to support decision-making, contribute to the development of future economic policies, and strengthen the country’s readiness to respond to global economic changes and transformations.
The announced results are based on the statistical methodology currently in use. Historical data series will be updated after the completion of the comprehensive GDP review program.
The program is being implemented in cooperation and technical coordination with several specialized international institutions and organizations, strengthening the reliability and comparability of the results and reinforcing confidence in UAE economic data at both the local and international levels.
A More Diversified and Sustainable UAE Economy
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre continues to publish the country’s official economic data in accordance with the latest internationally approved methodologies, supporting confidence in national indicators and advancing the UAE’s sustainable economic development.
The results of the first quarter of 2026 confirm that non-oil sectors have become the largest driver of growth in the UAE, supported by the continued expansion of financial, construction, technology, trade, and real estate activities.
They also reflect the UAE economy’s continued progress toward a more diversified, resilient, and future-ready model, supported by integrated government policies, strong cooperation between the government and private sectors.
