Dubai’s economy delivered another strong quarter, posting a 4% year-on-year GDP growth in Q1 2025 to AED119.7 billion, driven by surging healthcare services, real estate, trade, and finance, according to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai.
Dubai’s Growth Story — In Numbers
| Sector | Growth YoY | Value (AED bn) | Share of GDP | Contribution to GDP Growth (pp) |
| Human Health & Social Work | +26% | 1.9 | 1.5% | 0.3 |
| Real Estate | +7.8% | 9.0 | 7.5% | 0.6 |
| Finance & Insurance | +5.9% | 16.0 | 13.4% | 0.8 |
| Wholesale & Retail Trade | +4.5% | 27.5 | 23% | 1.03 |
| Accommodation & Food | +3.4% | 4.9 | 4.1% | 0.14 |
| Manufacturing | +3.3% | 8.7 | 7.3% | 0.24 |
| Transport & Storage | +2% | 15.7 | 13% | 0.27 |
Source: WAM
Key Growth Drivers
- Healthcare Boom: Human health and social work surged 26%, reflecting rising demand for medical services, healthcare investment, and social support infrastructure.
- Property Strength: Real estate climbed 7.8%, confirming sustained market momentum.
- Trade Powerhouse: Wholesale & retail trade remains the economy’s largest pillar at 23% of GDP, adding over 1 percentage point to growth.
Finance Hub: Financial and insurance activities reached AED16 billion, cementing Dubai’s role as a regional financial capital
Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said:
“In an era defined by data and AI, reliable statistics are indispensable for understanding current trends and anticipating future developments. The Q1 2025 results reflect Dubai’s economic progress, enabling policymakers, researchers, and businesses to make well-informed decisions.”
Leadership Insights
Hadi Badri, CEO of Dubai Economic Development Corporation (DEDC), added:
“Guided by the city’s visionary leadership and powered by strong public-private collaboration, 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.
As we look to accelerate further growth, our focus remains on implementing strategic initiatives and building both local and international partnerships, in turn unlocking new opportunities, enabling innovation, and turning ideas and plans into scalable, commercial successes.”
Looking Ahead
The results follow a robust 2024, when GDP expanded 5.8% at current prices to AED541 billion and 3.2% at constant prices to AED443 billion. Trade, real estate, finance, transport, and industry collectively drove nearly 78% of growth.
Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment is now broadening its survey base and recalibrating GDP metrics to align with international classifications, ensuring decision-makers have access to world-class economic intelligence.
–Input WAM
