United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate (2026)
The United Arab Emirates has a diversified Gulf economy supported by energy, trade, tourism, finance, real estate, logistics, and investment. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+3.1%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#86
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-2.7 pp
2025: +5.8%
Asia Rank
#27
Out of 49 countries
1. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate in 2026
UAE economic growth is supported by both oil-related activity and expanding non-oil sectors such as tourism, aviation, finance, real estate, and trade. Foreign investment and population growth also contribute to economic momentum.
2. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
The UAE’s growth history has evolved from heavy dependence on oil toward a more diversified economic model. Investment in infrastructure, services, tourism, logistics, and financial activity has broadened its growth base.
3. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +3.1% | -2.7 pp |
| 2025 | +5.8% | +1.8 pp |
| 2024 | +4.0% | -0.3 pp |
| 2023 | +4.3% | -3.2 pp |
| 2022 | +7.5% | +2.9 pp |
| 2021 | +4.6% | +13.3 pp |
| 2020 | -8.7% | -10.0 pp |
| 2019 | +1.3% | -0.2 pp |
| 2018 | +1.5% | +2.6 pp |
| 2017 | -1.1% | -6.8 pp |
| 2016 | +5.7% | -1.4 pp |
| 2015 | +7.1% | +2.5 pp |
| 2014 | +4.6% | -0.3 pp |
| 2013 | +4.9% | +0.2 pp |
| 2012 | +4.7% | -2.0 pp |
| 2011 | +6.7% | -1.2 pp |
| 2010 | +7.9% | +13.1 pp |
| 2009 | -5.2% | -8.4 pp |
| 2008 | +3.2% | 0.0 pp |
| 2007 | +3.2% | -6.6 pp |
| 2006 | +9.8% | +4.9 pp |
| 2005 | +4.9% | -4.7 pp |
| 2004 | +9.6% | +0.8 pp |
| 2003 | +8.8% | +6.4 pp |
| 2002 | +2.4% | +1.0 pp |
| 2001 | +1.4% | -10.9 pp |
| 2000 | +12.3% | +8.5 pp |
| 1999 | +3.8% | +2.9 pp |
| 1998 | +0.9% | -7.7 pp |
| 1997 | +8.6% | +3.2 pp |
| 1996 | +5.4% | -1.2 pp |
| 1995 | +6.6% | -0.8 pp |
| 1994 | +7.4% | +7.1 pp |
| 1993 | +0.3% | -2.8 pp |
| 1992 | +3.1% | +0.9 pp |
| 1991 | +2.2% | -21.4 pp |
| 1990 | +23.6% | +7.9 pp |
| 1989 | +15.7% | +18.3 pp |
| 1988 | -2.6% | -7.9 pp |
| 1987 | +5.3% | +24.6 pp |
| 1986 | -19.3% | -16.8 pp |
| 1985 | -2.5% | -7.0 pp |
| 1984 | +4.5% | +9.8 pp |
| 1983 | -5.3% | +1.9 pp |
| 1982 | -7.2% | -15.2 pp |
| 1981 | +8.0% | +9.8 pp |
| 1980 | -1.8% | — |
4. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+3.1%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.9%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+2.2%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+3.3%
(2007 to 2026)
The UAE continues to benefit from strong tourism, trade, real estate, investment, and business activity. Diversification has helped reduce reliance on energy and strengthen resilience to changes in global oil markets.
5. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate vs Asia and World
United Arab Emirates
+3.1%
Asia Average
+2.4%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
1.6%
3.1%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
United Arab Emirates’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.8 pp
above the
Asia average
and
0.3 pp
above the world average.
6. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Asia
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #23 | Israel | +3.5% |
| #24 | Singapore | +3.5% |
| #25 | Oman | +3.5% |
| #26 | Turkey | +3.4% |
| #27 | United Arab Emirates | +3.1% |
| #28 | Saudi Arabia | +3.1% |
| #29 | North Korea | +3.1% |
| #30 | Maldives | +3.0% |
| #31 | Afghanistan | +3.0% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates GDP (Nominal)
$621.5 Billion
(2026)
United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate
+3.1%
(2026)
The UAE often performs strongly within the Gulf region due to its diversified economy and role as an international business hub. Growth is influenced by both energy markets and broader regional and global trade conditions.
Explore more:
United Arab Emirates GDP
9. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook remains supported by tourism, investment, infrastructure, trade, and continued economic diversification. Oil-market volatility, global financial conditions, and geopolitical risks remain important external factors.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +5.3% | +2.2 pp |
| 2028 | +4.6% | -0.7 pp |
| 2029 | +4.4% | -0.2 pp |
| 2030 | +4.0% | -0.4 pp |
10. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
United Arab Emirates GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.1% in 2026.
It ranks #86 globally and #27 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 2.7 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.9%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +2.2%.
The current rate is 0.8 percentage points above the Asia average.
The current rate is 0.3 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +4.0% in 2030, 0.9 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. United Arab Emirates GDP Growth Rate FAQs
United Arab Emirates GDP growth rate is estimated at +3.1% in 2026.
United Arab Emirates ranks #86 globally and #27 in Asia by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +3.1% in 2026.
United Arab Emirates GDP growth rate was +7.1% in 2015.
United Arab Emirates GDP growth rate is 0.8 percentage points above the Asia average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.