The United Arab Emirates operates one of the most structurally dynamic economies in the Middle East, with nominal GDP surpassing $500 billion and a non-oil sector that now accounts for over 70 percent of total output. This is the product of four decades of deliberate diversification, accelerated under We the UAE 2031 by a federal target to grow GDP to AED 3 trillion by the end of the decade. The economy is powered by a network of free zones, sovereign wealth capital, a tax-competitive regime, and deep integration into global trade corridors linking Asia, Europe, and Africa.
The diversification story is no longer aspirational — it is structural. Tourism, logistics, financial services, technology, and advanced manufacturing now generate the majority of GDP, while hydrocarbons continue to provide a fiscal buffer that most peer economies lack. Abu Dhabi retains the federation’s hydrocarbon wealth and deploys it through ADIA, Mubadala, and ADQ, while Dubai operates as the commercial engine with its port, aviation, and services infrastructure. The northern emirates are increasingly carving out specialised roles, from Sharjah’s industrial base to Ras Al Khaimah’s emerging tourism and manufacturing clusters.
This section covers the macro indicators, structural composition, and policy levers shaping the UAE economy. It tracks GDP growth, inflation, fiscal balances, trade volumes, labour market dynamics, and the progress of national economic programmes. Each article situates data within the broader We the UAE 2031 framework, connecting headline numbers to the strategic targets that give them meaning.