Dubai Real Estate and Construction Contribute USD12.2bn to Q1 GDP
Dubai's Real Estate Activities and Construction sectors generated a combined AED44.7 billion (USD12.18 billion) in gross value added during the first quarter of 2026, representing 19.3% of the emirate's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment at Digital Dubai.
The Construction sector was among Dubai's fastest-growing industries during the quarter, expanding 8.2% year-on-year. It generated approximately AED18.7 billion (USD5.10 billion) in gross value added, accounting for 8.1% of the emirate's GDP.
Meanwhile, Real Estate Activities maintained steady momentum, growing 3.1% from the same period in 2025. The sector generated approximately AED26 billion (USD7.08 billion) in gross value added, contributing 11.2% to Dubai's GDP.
Dubai's economy grows 2.4% in Q1
Dubai's economy continued its steady expansion in the first quarter of 2026, with GDP reaching AED232 billion (USD63.22 billion), up 2.4% from the same period a year earlier.
According to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, the performance reflects the resilience and adaptability of Dubai's diversified economy, supported by the integration of its economic sectors and development policies that continue to strengthen the emirate's competitiveness and its ability to respond to evolving global economic conditions.
The authority also said Dubai has revised its GDP series from the beginning of 2026 using the latest economic surveys and administrative records, aligning the data with international statistical standards and improving the accuracy of the published figures.
Human Health and Social Work Activities records fastest growth
The Human Health and Social Work Activities sector posted the strongest performance among all economic sectors in the first quarter, expanding 17.5% year-on-year.
Gross value added reached AED3.6 billion (USD980.9 million), representing 1.5% of Dubai's GDP.
Utilities and waste management
The Electricity, Gas, and Water Supply; Waste Management Activities sector recorded 8.4% annual growth.
Its gross value added reached AED4.6 billion (USD1.25 billion), accounting for 2% of Dubai's GDP, compared with AED4.3 billion (USD1.17 billion) and a 1.9% contribution during the corresponding quarter of 2025.
Wholesale and retail trade remains Dubai's largest sector
The Wholesale and Retail Trade sector grew 2.6% year-on-year, with real gross value added rising to AED50.9 billion (USD13.87 billion) from AED49.6 billion (USD13.51 billion) in the first quarter of 2025.
The sector remained the largest contributor to Dubai's economy, accounting for approximately 22% of GDP. It also contributed around 0.57 percentage points to overall economic growth, equivalent to approximately 24% of the total growth recorded during the quarter.
Information and communication
The Information and Communication sector expanded 2.7% from a year earlier.
Real gross value added increased to AED12.1 billion (USD3.30 billion) from AED11.8 billion (USD3.22 billion), accounting for 5.2% of Dubai's GDP and contributing 0.14 percentage points to overall economic growth.
Financial and insurance activities
The Financial and Insurance Activities sector generated AED32.4 billion (USD8.83 billion) in gross value added during the first quarter, recording 6.5% annual growth and accounting for 14% of Dubai's GDP.
During the same period in 2025, the sector generated AED30.4 billion (USD8.28 billion) in gross value added and represented 13.4% of GDP.
The sector contributed 0.88 percentage points to Dubai's realised economic growth, equivalent to 37% of the total growth achieved during the quarter.
Administrative and support services
The Administrative and Support Service Activities sector contributed 4.5% to Dubai's GDP in the first quarter of 2026.
Gross value added increased to AED10.5 billion (USD2.86 billion), up 3.6% from AED10.1 billion (USD2.75 billion) in the same period of 2025, while maintaining a 4.5% share of the emirate's GDP.
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