Dubai GDP Expands 4.4% in H1 2025, Driven by Health and Construction

Dubai, UAE: Dubai’s economy maintained its strong growth momentum in the first half of 2025, expanding by 4.4% to reach $65.6 billion (AED 241 billion), according to data from the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment. In the second quarter alone, GDP climbed 4.7% to $33.2 billion (AED 122 billion), reaffirming the emirate’s position as one of the world’s most competitive and diversified urban economies.

Vision-Driven Economic Growth

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, attributed the performance to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

“Dubai’s economic performance reflects the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose leadership has created a unique model of sustainable growth defined by innovation, excellence and global competitiveness,” said Sheikh Hamdan.

He added that each percentage point of growth was the result of close collaboration between government entities and private stakeholders, and reaffirmed the success of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), which aims to double the size of Dubai’s economy over the next decade.

Health and Construction Lead Growth

The human health and social work activities sector recorded the highest growth rate, expanding 20% and contributing 1.4% to the overall GDP rise. The construction sector also saw an impressive 8.5% increase, contributing 6.7% to total output, a reflection of the ongoing infrastructure development, housing projects, and urban expansion shaping the city’s skyline.

Public-Private Partnerships Strengthen Competitiveness

His Excellency Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), highlighted the critical role of collaboration in sustaining Dubai’s competitiveness. “Dubai’s first-half GDP performance reflects the strength of its public-private partnerships, characterised by shared ambition and strategic alignment,” said Almarri. “Our economy continues to demonstrate agility across both established and emerging sectors, consistently attracting investors, entrepreneurs and global talent, while nurturing homegrown innovation.”

Building a Digital and Sustainable Future

His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, noted that the city’s growth reflects its resilience and adaptability to global challenges.

“Dubai has built a solid foundation for sustainable development, strengthening its position as a global hub for business and investment. At Digital Dubai, we are accelerating transformation through data, technology, and innovation to ensure sustained competitiveness and long-term prosperity,” Al Mansoori stated.

Data-Driven Governance and Innovation

Echoing this sentiment, His Excellency Younus Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, credited the use of data-driven decision-making for the city’s success: “The remarkable outcomes achieved in the first half of 2025 reflect the effective collaboration between government entities and the private sector. Dubai continues to lead through real-time data, innovation, and technology.”

A Foundation for Future Growth

His Excellency Hadi Badri, CEO of the Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), emphasised that Dubai’s robust ecosystem continues to attract high-value investment and foster new opportunities.

“The expansion in health, construction, real estate, and financial services demonstrates the effectiveness of Dubai’s innovation-driven policies. We remain focused on creating new growth pathways through collaboration and investment,” Badri said.

Dubai’s first-half performance underscores not only the city’s diversified economic structure but also its ability to thrive amid shifting global dynamics, a reflection of its leadership’s long-term commitment to sustainable growth and global competitiveness.