United Arab Emirates: economy

What is the GDP growth rate of the UAE?

The UAE's real GDP grew 6.2% in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook of October 2026. The same release projects a contraction of 3.9% in 2026 and growth of 7.7% in 2027.

The national source for GDP is the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), which publishes quarterly real GDP and non-oil GDP; its site blocked our automated check today, so its latest release could not be read here. IMF figures for 2026 and 2027 are projections and change with each World Economic Outlook, published in April and October. Oil output weighs heavily in total GDP, so headline growth can move differently from the non-oil economy that the FCSC reports separately.

Official sources: IMF World Economic Outlook: real GDP growth, UAE

What is the GDP per capita of the UAE?

GDP per capita in the UAE was US$50,274 in 2024, according to the World Bank. Total GDP was US$552.3 billion in the same year.

The figure is in current US dollars and divides total output by the whole resident population, of whom most are foreign nationals. Rapid population growth can therefore hold per-capita income steady even when total GDP rises. The dirham is pegged to the US dollar, so exchange-rate swings do not distort the dollar figure as they do for many countries. The World Bank updates the series each July; the FCSC publishes GDP in dirhams.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$), UAE · World Bank: GDP (current US$), UAE

How fast is Abu Dhabi's economy growing?

Abu Dhabi's real GDP grew 7.7% year on year in the third quarter of 2025 (July to September) to AED 325.7 billion, according to the Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi (SCAD). Over the first nine months of 2025, GDP grew 5% and the non-oil economy 6.8%.

SCAD estimates that non-oil activities made up 54% of the emirate's GDP in the third quarter, with construction growing 13.9% and real estate 13.1%. These are preliminary estimates at constant prices and may be revised. Abu Dhabi produces most of the UAE's oil, so its growth depends partly on OPEC+ production levels. Later quarters are listed on the SCAD website.

Official sources: SCAD: Abu Dhabi GDP, Q3 2025 · Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi

What is the inflation rate in the UAE?

Consumer prices in the UAE rose 1.3% on average in 2025, according to the IMF's World Economic Outlook of October 2026. The IMF projects average inflation of 4.5% in 2026 and 2.5% in 2027.

The national consumer price index is published by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi publish their own emirate-level indices; the federal site blocked our automated check today. Housing has a large weight in UAE price indices, so rents move the headline rate strongly. The IMF figures are annual averages, not the year-on-year rate for a single month.

Official sources: IMF World Economic Outlook: inflation, UAE

How big are UAE exports compared with GDP?

Exports of goods and services were equal to 106.8% of the UAE's GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank. Exports were 102.1% of GDP in 2022.

A ratio above 100% is possible because exports are counted at their full value, while GDP counts only value added in the UAE; re-exports through Dubai and other ports add to the export total. The figure includes oil and gas. For trade excluding oil, SCAD publishes monthly non-oil foreign merchandise trade through Abu Dhabi's ports, and the FCSC publishes national non-oil trade.

Official sources: World Bank: exports of goods and services (% of GDP), UAE · Statistics Centre - Abu Dhabi

Is the United Arab Emirates' economy growing?

The World Bank puts real GDP growth in the United Arab Emirates at 4.0% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 9.8%; its low point was 2020, at -8.7%. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 2.6%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 3rd highest of 20. Of 186 countries with 2024 data, 68th highest.

How rich is the United Arab Emirates per person?

The World Bank puts GDP per person in the United Arab Emirates at $50,274 in 2024. The peak was $53,247 in 2013 and the low $37,803 in 2009. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $5,913, and the United Arab Emirates placed 3rd highest of 20. Worldwide: 22nd of 186.

What is the United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita at PPP?

$79,344 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in the United Arab Emirates for 2024, according to the World Bank. The peak was $106,814 in international dollars in 2006 and the low $66,791 in international dollars in 2020. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was $18,384 in international dollars, and the United Arab Emirates placed 2nd highest of 20. Worldwide: 13th of 183.

How big are the United Arab Emirates' exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in the United Arab Emirates at 106.8% of GDP in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 41.0% of GDP, and the United Arab Emirates placed 3rd highest of 18. World rank, highest first: 7th of 165.

Does the United Arab Emirates have a current account surplus or deficit?

15.7% of GDP: that is the current account balance in the United Arab Emirates for 2024, according to the IMF. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 3.0% of GDP, and the United Arab Emirates placed 3rd highest of 16. Of 162 countries with 2024 data, 7th highest.

How much foreign investment does the United Arab Emirates receive?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2024, is 8.3% of GDP. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 1.6% of GDP, and the United Arab Emirates placed 4th highest of 19. Of 182 countries with 2024 data, 26th highest.