UAE economy grows 3% in first quarter on strong non-oil sector performance
The UAE's economy grew 3 per cent on an annual basis in the first three months of 2026 to reach Dh485 billion as the country's non-oil sector expanded. The Emirates' non-oil gross domestic product grew by 4.8 per cent, raising its contribution to 79.4 per cent of the national economy, reflecting the continued strength of non-oil economic activities, the UAE Government Media Office said on…
The UAE's economy expanded by 3 percent in annual terms during the first three months of 2026, peaking at Dh485 billion, according to data released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre. This growth was primarily driven by the non-oil sector, which expanded by 4.8 percent, accounting for 79.4 percent of the national economy.
The Ministry of Cabinet Affairs highlighted that this increase was a result of coordinated government policies and initiatives aimed at bolstering the UAE's global competitiveness and future readiness.
Mohammad Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, emphasized that this growth was not an isolated event but a testament to the integrated efforts of various sectors. Financial and insurance activities led the expansion in the first quarter with a 17.3 percent rise, followed by construction at 8.1 percent. Human health and social work activities also contributed significantly with a 7.7 percent increase.
Information and communication activities saw a 5.9 percent growth, while professional, scientific, and technical activities, along with administrative and support services, expanded by 4.9 percent.
These sectors collectively reflected a resilient national economy that managed to achieve growth despite regional challenges observed in the first quarter. The financial sector alone contributed 2.44 percentage points to the total non-oil growth. Non-oil exports reached Dh452.8 billion and grew by 23.9 percent during the first half of 2026, underscoring the sector's robust performance.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
