Dubai’s real gross domestic product fell 2.3% to about AED473 billion in the first half of 2026 from about AED484 billion a year earlier, according to data released by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai.
GDP at current prices rose 0.2% to about AED505 billion, the Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported early on October 18, citing the government figures.
Financial and insurance activities led growth among the sectors highlighted, expanding 8.8% in real terms. Their value added rose to about AED65.9 billion from AED60.6 billion, lifting their share of GDP to 14% from 12.5%.
Human health and social work activities grew 14.3% in real terms, with constant-price value added of about AED6.2 billion. Information and communication rose 2.7% to about AED24.7 billion, and construction rose 2.4% to about AED33.2 billion.
Wholesale and retail trade remained the largest activity by contribution, at 20.5% of real GDP, followed by financial and insurance activities at 14% and real estate at 11.8%. Transportation and storage contributed 10.7%.
Trade activity fell 6% in constant prices to AED96.9 billion even as foreign trade rose 4% and current-price trade grew 2%, the data showed. Transportation and storage value added fell 7.4% to AED50.6 billion. Real estate fell 2.5% in real terms to AED55.8 billion while rising 5.4% at current prices to AED65.1 billion.
Helal Saeed Almarri, Director General of the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism, said the half-year result reflected an economy built to navigate global uncertainty and pointed to year-on-year growth in several strategic sectors.
Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said sectoral diversity had helped offset some of the impact of rapid shifts in the global environment.
