The UAE’s real GDP reached AED 961.9 billion at constant prices in the first half of 2026, up 0.4% year-on-year, according to preliminary figures from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC).
Non-oil GDP expanded 1.8%, lifting its share of the economy to 79.2% from 78.1% a year earlier, with oil activities accounting for the remaining 20.8%. Financial and insurance activities led sector growth at 14.8%, ahead of information and communication (7.3%), health and social work (6%) and construction (5.1%).
Trade remained the largest non-oil contributor at 16.2%, followed by finance and insurance at 15.2% and construction at 13.1%. The second quarter told a tougher story, however, with real GDP falling 2.1% to AED 476.9 billion and non-oil activity contracting 1.1% as regional developments and travel disruption weighed on tourism, transport and trade. An updated national GDP series is due in Q1 2027 following a comprehensive revision programme.
Gulf Economist Staff Writer