Dubai’s GDP reaches Dhs119.7 billion in Q1 2025, rising 4% YoY

Dubai recorded a GDP of Dhs119.7 billion in the first quarter of 2025, marking a 4 percent growth from the same period in 2024, in a testament to the continued resilience and vitality of the emirate's economy.

The growth recorded in Q1 2025 was driven by strong performances across a wide range of strategic sectors. 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 per cent, while financial and insurance activities expanded by 5.9 per cent. Accommodation and food service activities recorded a 3.4 percent increase, and transport and storage rose by 2 per cent.

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 Dhs541 billion, and by 3.2 per cent at constant prices, totalling Dhs443 billion. This growth was driven by standout performances in trade, real estate, financial services, transport, and industry sectors that collectively contributed nearly 78 per cent of the total growth achieved during the year.

Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai, said, “In an era defined by data and AI, reliable statistics are indispensable for understanding current trends and anticipating future developments. The Q1 2025 results reflect Dubai’s economic progress, enabling policymakers, researchers, and businesses to make well-informed decisions.

"As part of our mission at Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment, Digital Dubai, we remain focused on fostering integration with relevant entities to ensure that data serves stakeholders across all levels — supporting the overarching goals of the government and the forward-looking vision of our leadership.”

Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), the economic development arm of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said, “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.

"As we look to accelerate further growth, our focus remains on implementing strategic initiatives and building both local and international partnerships, in turn unlocking new opportunities, enabling innovation, and turning ideas and plans into scalable, commercial successes.”

The human health and social work sector reached Dhs1.9 billion in the first quarter of 2025, achieving a 26 per cent growth compared to the previous year’s first quarter. It accounted for 1.5 per cent of Dubai’s total GDP, contributing 0.3 percentage points to overall economic growth.

The real estate sector, a cornerstone of Dubai’s economic structure, grew by 7.8 percent in Q1 2025, contributing 7.5 per cent to the emirate’s GDP, with a total value of Dhs9 billion and driving economic growth by 0.6 percentage points.

The finance and insurance sector achieved a real growth of 5.9 percent in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, reaching Dhjs16 billion, up from Dhs15.12 billion in Q1 2024. It accounted for 13.4 per cent of Dubai’s economy and contributed 0.8 percentage points to overall growth.

For the accommodation and food services sector, it recorded 3.4 per cent growth, reaching Dhs4.9 billion, contributing 4.1 percent to the GDP and driving growth by 0.14 percentage points.

The information and telecommunication sector grew by 3.2 percent, with a total value of Dhs5.3 billion, contributing 0.14 percentage points to economic growth and accounting for 4.4 percent of the emirate’s GDP.

The wholesale and retail trade sector contributed 23 per cent to the economy, with a value of Dhs27.5 billion, up from Dhs26.3 billion in the same period in 2024, marking a 4.5 per cent 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.

The manufacturing sector grew by 3.3 per cent, reaching Dhs8.7 billion in Q1 2025 compared to Dhs8.4 billion in the same period last year. It contributed 7.3 per cent to GDP and 0.24 percentage points to economic growth.

The transport and storage sector grew by 2 percent compared to the same period last year, reaching Dhs15.7 billion, up from Dhs15.4 billion in Q1 2024. It contributed 13 per cent 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.

Other activities accounted for 26 percent of the GDP in the first quarter of 2025, recording a growth of 1.9 per cent 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.

WAM