Image: Dubai Media Office/ For illustrative purposes
Dubai’s economy grew 4 per cent (QoQ) in Q1 2025, reaching Dhs119.7bn, supported by strong performances across strategic sectors, government data showed.
Human health and social work activities led growth with a 26 per cent increase to Dhs1.9bn, while real estate rose 7.8 per cent to Dhs9bn and financial and insurance activities expanded 5.9 per cent to Dhs16bn.
Other contributors included accommodation and food services (up 3.4 per cent to Dhs4.9bn), transport and storage (up 2 per cent to Dhs15.7bn), wholesale and retail trade (up 4.5 per cent to Dhs27.5bn), manufacturing (up 3.3 per cent to Dhs8.7bn), and information and communications (up 3.2 per cent to Dhs5.3bn).
Collectively, these sectors helped maintain Dubai’s diversified growth momentum following a 5.8 per cent expansion in 2024.
Younus Al Nasser, chief executive of Dubai Data & Statistics Establishment, said the results provide a reliable basis for policymaking and business decisions.
“The Q1 2025 results reflect Dubai’s economic progress, enabling policymakers, researchers, and businesses to make well-informed decisions,” he said
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), highlighted Dubai’s continued appeal to investors and entrepreneurs, emphasising public-private collaboration and strategic initiatives as key drivers of sustained economic performance.
He added: “Dubai’s performance through 2024 and into the first quarter of 2025 reflects our continued momentum towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.”
At a glance: Dubai GDP growth and key sector performance
| Sector | Q1 2025 GDP (Dhs bn) | Growth YoY | % of Total GDP | Contribution to Growth (pp) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Health and social work | 1.9 | 26% | 1.5% | 0.3 |
| Real estate | 9.0 | 7.8% | 7.5% | 0.6 |
| Financial and insurance | 16.0 | 5.9% | 13.4% | 0.8 |
| Accommodation and food services | 4.9 | 3.4% | 4.1% | 0.14 |
| Information and communications | 5.3 | 3.2% | 4.4% | 0.14 |
| Wholesale and retail trade | 27.5 | 4.5% | 23% | 1.03 |
| Manufacturing | 8.7 | 3.3% | 7.3% | 0.24 |
| Transport and storage | 15.7 | 2% | 13% | 0.27 |
| Other activities | – | 1.9% | 26% | 0.5 |
