February 23, 2026
Methodology About Newsletter
WE THE UAE 2031
The Vanderbilt Terminal for the UAE's National Transformation
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL INTELLIGENCE FOR THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% | UAE GDP: AED 2.03T ▲ 5.7% | Non-Oil GDP Share: 84.3% ▼ -5.2pp | FDI Inflows: $45.6B ▲ 48.7% | GDP Growth: 4.0% ▲ -0.3pp vs 2023 | Inflation: 1.7% ▼ +0.0pp vs 2023 | Female Participation: 55.1% ▲ +0.6pp vs 2023 | Population: 11.0M ▲ 4.8% | Emiratisation Rate: 12.5% ▲ 2.1pp | Global Competitiveness: #7 ▲ 3 places | Clean Energy Capacity: 7.2 GW ▲ 18.4% | ADX Index: 9,842 ▲ 4.7% | DFM Index: 4,621 ▲ 6.2% |

Definition

The Dubai Metro is a driverless, fully automated urban rail transit system operated by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Launched in September 2009, it was the first urban metro network in the Arabian Peninsula. The system consists of two lines — the Red Line running 52 kilometers from Rashidiya to UAE Exchange, and the Green Line running 23 kilometers through older districts including Deira and Bur Dubai. Together, the lines serve over 50 stations and carry hundreds of millions of passengers annually.

UAE Context

The Dubai Metro transformed urban mobility in a city historically dependent on private automobiles. The system connects major employment hubs, residential districts, and tourist destinations including the Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, Dubai Marina, and both airport terminals. The metro operates with dedicated women-and-children carriages and Gold Class compartments. Fares are integrated with the Nol Card system, enabling seamless transfers to buses, trams, and water transport. The Route 2020 extension, built for Expo 2020, added seven stations reaching Expo City Dubai and Al Maktoum International Airport vicinity.

Key Data

  • Opened: September 2009 (Red Line), September 2011 (Green Line)
  • Total length: Approximately 80 kilometers across two lines
  • Stations: Over 50 operational stations
  • Technology: Fully driverless, automated Kinki Sharyo trains
  • Ridership: Over 200 million passenger trips annually pre-expansion
  • Operator: Keolis MHI under RTA supervision

Significance for Vision 2031

The Dubai Metro is central to the emirate’s goal of increasing public transport mode share and reducing traffic congestion. Planned expansions, including a Blue Line and Purple Line, aim to extend coverage to underserved growth corridors. By reducing car dependency, the metro supports environmental sustainability targets and positions Dubai as a city with world-class urban transit infrastructure competitive with established global metros.

  • Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) — The government entity that oversees the metro system
  • Nol Card — The integrated fare payment card used across Dubai public transport
  • Dubai Tram — The tram system that connects to the metro at two interchange stations
  • Salik — Dubai’s road toll system that the metro helps drivers avoid