Dubai recorded a GDP of AED119.7 billion ($32.59 billion) in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 4 percent growth from the same period in 2024. This growth was driven by strong performances across a wide range of strategic sectors.
The GDP growth in the first quarter of this year marks a continuation of the strong performance achieved in 2024, when Dubai’s economy expanded by 5.8 percent at current prices to reach AED541 billion, and by 3.2 percent at constant prices, totaling AED443 billion.
This growth was driven by standout performances in trade, real estate, financial services, transport and industry — sectors that collectively contributed nearly 78 percent of the total growth achieved during the year.
Human Health and Social Work activities mark strongest growth
In Q1 2025, Human Health and Social Work activities registered the highest growth rate, rising 26 percent compared to the same period last year. Real Estate activities grew by 7.8 percent, while Financial and Insurance activities expanded by 5.9 percent. Accommodation and Food Service activities recorded a 3.4 percent increase, while Transport and Storage rose by 2 percent.
The human health and social work sector reached AED1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2025, achieving a 26 percent growth compared to the previous year’s first quarter. It accounted for 1.5 percent of Dubai’s total GDP, contributing 0.3 percentage points to overall economic growth.
“At a time when businesses, investors and entrepreneurs are seeking stability and certainty, Dubai’s sustained and diversified economic growth continues to underscore its global appeal. Guided by the city’s visionary leadership and powered by strong public-private collaboration, Dubai’s performance through 2024 and into the first quarter of 2025 reflects our continued momentum towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33,” said His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET).
Dubai’s real estate sector contributes 7.5 percent to GDP
The real estate sector, a cornerstone of Dubai’s economic structure, grew by 7.8 percent in Q1 2025, contributing 7.5 percent to the emirate’s GDP, with a total value of AED9 billion and driving economic growth by 0.6 percentage points.
Meanwhile, the Finance and Insurance sector achieved a real growth of 5.9 percent in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching AED16 billion, up from AED15.12 billion in Q1 2024. It accounted for 13.4 percent of Dubai’s GDP and contributed 0.8 percentage points to overall growth.
Accommodation and Food Services recorded 3.4 percent growth, reaching AED4.9 billion, contributing 4.1 percent to the GDP and driving growth by 0.14 percentage points. Meanwhile, the Information and Telecommunication sector grew by 3.2 percent, with a total value of AED5.3 billion, contributing 0.14 percentage points to economic growth and accounting for 4.4 percent of the emirate’s GDP.
Trade contributes 23 percent to the economy
The data released by the Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment also revealed that the Wholesale and Retail Trade sector contributed 23 percent to Dubai’s GDP, with a value of AED27.5 billion, up from AED26.3 billion in the same period in 2024, marking a 4.5 percent increase and boosting economic growth by 1.03 percentage points.
Trade activity supports all other economic sectors by providing a wide variety of goods that serve multiple functions — whether as inputs, intermediates, final consumption products, or for capital formation purposes.
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Manufacturing sector grows 3.3 percent
Dubai’s manufacturing sector grew by 3.3 percent, reaching AED8.7 billion in Q1 2025 compared to AED8.4 billion in the same period last year. It contributed 7.3 percent to GDP and 0.24 percentage points to economic growth.
Meanwhile, the Transport and Storage sector grew by 2 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching AED15.7 billion, up from AED15.4 billion in Q1 2024. It contributed 13 percent to Dubai’s GDP and added 0.27 percentage points to growth. The sector encompasses all activities pertaining to land, water or air transport involving individuals, goods, handling and storage activities, and postal services. Air transport remains the largest contributor within this sector due to its high output.
Finally, other activities accounted for 26 percent of the GDP in the first quarter of 2025, recording a growth of 1.9 percent compared to the same period last year and contributing 0.5 percentage points to overall economic growth.
The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment is currently expanding the survey base and recalibrating the GDP time series, along with other economic indicators. This initiative is part of a broader transformation plan to adopt updated international classifications and implement global best practices, ensuring data outputs better serve the needs of users.
