Dubai’s economy has started 2025 strong, with growth in many key sectors showing the city’s strength and diversity. In the first quarter, GDP grew 4% compared to last year, reaching AED119.7 billion ($32.6 billion), driven by strong results in healthcare, real estate, and financial services.
The health sector grew the fastest, rising 26% to AED1.9 billion ($517 million) because more people are using medical and social services. Real estate, an important part of Dubai’s economy, grew 7.8% to AED9 billion ($2.45 billion), while financial and insurance activities went up 5.9% to AED16 billion ($4.36 billion), showing that Dubai’s economy is strong and diverse.
Other sectors contributed steadily to the emirate’s economic landscape:
Wholesale and retail trade: AED27.5 billion ($7.49 billion), up 4.5%, representing nearly a quarter of GDP.
Transport and storage: AED15.7 billion ($4.28 billion), up 2%, with air transport leading the sub-sector.
Accommodation and food services: AED4.9 billion ($1.33 billion), up 3.4%.
Information and communications: AED5.3 billion ($1.45 billion), up 3.2%.
Manufacturing: AED8.7 billion ($2.37 billion), up 3.3%.
The real estate market continued to show concrete progress, with 24 projects completed in the first half of 2025, valued at AED4.5 billion, reinforcing investor confidence in Dubai’s development trajectory.
Looking back at 2024, Dubai’s GDP increased 5.8% at current prices, reaching AED541 billion ($147.4 billion), while growth at constant prices was 3.2%, totaling AED443 billion ($120.5 billion). This expansion was supported by strong performances in trade, real estate, finance, transport, and industry.
The Road Ahead
Dubai’s performance in early 2025 reflects tangible progress rather than mere optimism. Strong growth across key sectors is reinforcing the emirate’s role as a dynamic global economy, creating opportunities for investors.
We see these developments not as mere headlines, but as evidence of real, tangible growth. As Dubai embraces digital expansion and progress across key sectors, we remain focused on areas that deliver genuine, lasting value. Where progress is real, that is exactly where we guide our clients to invest.
