9 October 2026
The UAE economy reached AED 961.9 billion in real terms in the first half of 2026, 0.4% more than in the first half of 2025, according to preliminary data released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) on 9 October 2026. Non-oil GDP grew by 1.8%, and the non-oil share of the economy rose to 79.2% from 78.1% a year earlier. Financial and insurance activities grew fastest, by 14.8%, followed by information and communication (7.3%), health and social work (6%) and construction (5.1%). The second quarter alone was weaker: real GDP fell by 2.1% year on year to AED 476.9 billion.
The headline numbers for January to June 2026
The FCSC measures real gross domestic product at constant prices, which removes the effect of inflation and shows how much the volume of economic activity changed. For the first six months of 2026 the result was AED 961.9 billion, up 0.4% on the same period of 2025.
The growth came from the non-oil economy. Non-oil GDP rose by 1.8%, faster than the economy as a whole, so its share of real GDP increased to 79.2%. Oil activities accounted for the remaining 20.8%. Because the total grew more slowly than the non-oil part, the figures imply that oil-related output in the first half was lower than a year earlier.
The FCSC release was published through the Emirates News Agency (WAM) and reported by Gulf News. The centre stresses that the first-half and second-quarter results are preliminary estimates based on the methodologies and time series currently in use.
Two different quarters
The half-year figure combines two quarters that moved in opposite directions. In the first quarter of 2026, as the FCSC reported in August, real GDP grew by 3% to AED 485 billion, with non-oil GDP up 4.8% and a non-oil share of 79.4%. We covered that release in our article on UAE GDP growth in Q1 2026.
In the second quarter, real GDP came to AED 476.9 billion, 2.1% less than in the second quarter of 2025. Non-oil activities contracted by 1.1%. According to the FCSC, several sectors, particularly tourism, transport and trade, were affected by regional developments and disruptions to travel. Together, the two quarters add up to the AED 961.9 billion reported for the half year.
Which sectors grew fastest
Within the non-oil economy, growth was uneven. Finance led by a wide margin, while several other sectors posted steady gains.
| Sector | Real growth, H1 2026 | Share of non-oil GDP, H1 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial and insurance activities | 14.8% | 15.2% |
| Information and communication | 7.3% | Not published |
| Health and social work | 6% | Not published |
| Construction | 5.1% | 13.1% |
| Government activities | 3.6% | Not published |
| Real estate activities | 2.3% | 7.9% |
| Trade | Not published | 16.2% |
| Manufacturing | Not published | 11.8% |
Trade remains the largest single contributor to non-oil GDP at 16.2%, followed closely by financial and insurance activities at 15.2%. With finance growing almost 15% in real terms, the gap between the two largest sectors is now about one percentage point.
A statistical revision is coming in 2027
The FCSC is running the UAE Comprehensive GDP Revision Programme together with its partners in the national statistical system. According to the centre, the updated national GDP time series will be published after the revision results are approved in the first quarter of 2027. Until then, the 2026 numbers are preliminary and may change once the revised series is released.
What the numbers mean for companies in the UAE
GDP statistics do not change any rule, fee or procedure. Licensing, visas, banking and tax requirements stay exactly as they were. What the release offers is a factual picture of where activity grew in the first half of the year and where it slowed.
For entrepreneurs who already operate in the UAE or plan to, a few practical points follow from the data:
- Finance, information and communication, and health posted the fastest real growth in the first half, so these are the areas where activity expanded most according to official statistics.
- Tourism, transport and trade were named by the FCSC as the sectors hit in the second quarter, so companies in these fields should base budgets on their own recent figures rather than on annual averages.
- Trade is still the largest part of the non-oil economy at 16.2%, so the right trading activities on the licence and a clear supply chain remain central for many new companies.
- Choose the jurisdiction, free zone or mainland, according to where you will sell and which activities you need, not according to headline growth figures.
- Prepare a bank file that explains your business model and expected payment flows, because banks review the activity and counterparties before opening an account.
How Atlant Capital can help
Atlant Capital helps entrepreneurs set up and run companies in the UAE, in trading, technology, consulting and other service sectors. Through our company setup in the UAE service we advise on the choice between free zone and mainland and select licence activities that match the real business. Our company formation guide for the UAE walks through the steps, documents and timelines. We also prepare the documents for corporate bank account opening, where a clear description of the activity and the expected transactions speeds up the bank review.
Conclusion
The UAE economy grew by 0.4% in real terms in the first half of 2026 to AED 961.9 billion, carried by a 1.8% rise in non-oil activity, while the second quarter showed a 2.1% decline linked to regional developments and travel disruptions. Finance grew fastest at 14.8%, and the non-oil share of the economy reached 79.2%. The figures are preliminary, and a revised GDP series is due after the revision results are approved in the first quarter of 2027.
FAQ
How large was the UAE economy in the first half of 2026?
According to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, UAE real GDP reached AED 961.9 billion at constant prices in the first half of 2026. That is 0.4% more than in the first half of 2025. The figures are preliminary estimates published on 9 October 2026.
How much of the UAE economy is non-oil?
Non-oil activities accounted for 79.2% of UAE real GDP in the first half of 2026, up from 78.1% a year earlier. Non-oil GDP grew by 1.8% over the period, while oil activities made up the remaining 20.8%.
Which sector of the UAE economy grew fastest in 2026?
Financial and insurance activities grew fastest in the first half of 2026, by 14.8% in real terms. They were followed by information and communication at 7.3%, health and social work at 6%, construction at 5.1%, government activities at 3.6% and real estate at 2.3%.
Why did UAE GDP fall in the second quarter of 2026?
Real GDP fell by 2.1% year on year to AED 476.9 billion in the second quarter of 2026, and non-oil activity contracted by 1.1%. The FCSC said tourism, transport and trade were affected by regional developments and disruptions to travel. In the first quarter the economy had grown by 3% to AED 485 billion.
