How did Dubai’s economy perform in the first half of 2026?
Dubai: Dubai’s economy reached Dh473 billion in the first six months of 2026, with strong growth in banking, insurance, healthcare and construction helping the emirate navigate global economic challenges. According to figures released by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai, the emirate’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) stood at Dh473 billion between January and June,…
In the first half of 2026, Dubai's economy grew to Dh473 billion, according to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment. The real GDP, measured at constant prices, fell slightly by 2.3% compared to the same period last year, reaching Dh484 billion. However, when accounting for current prices, GDP rose by a modest 0.2% to Dh505 billion.
Healthcare emerged as the fastest-growing sector, expanding by 14.3% year-over-year, while financial and insurance services saw an 8.8% increase. Construction activity grew by 2.4%, contributing Dh33.2 billion to the economy. Despite growth in several sectors, wholesale and retail trade declined by 6% in real terms, and transportation and storage fell by 7.4%.
Manufacturing experienced a marginal real decline of 0.9%. Dubai's economy remains diverse and resilient, with strategic sectors such as healthcare, finance, technology, and construction driving growth. The emirate continues to prioritize investment, innovation, and business expansion as part of its long-term economic agenda, D33.
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- Dubai's economy reaches Dh473bn in first half of 2026 as key sectors expand thenationalnews.com
