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

Dubai South is a 145-square-kilometer master-planned urban and economic development surrounding Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali, Dubai. Launched in 2006 under the name Dubai World Central, the project was rebranded as Dubai South in 2015. The development encompasses dedicated districts for logistics, aviation, commercial offices, exhibitions, humanitarian aid, and residential communities, with a planned capacity to accommodate over one million residents and create 500,000 jobs at full build-out.

UAE Context

Dubai South represents one of the most ambitious urban planning initiatives in the UAE, designed to serve as the economic hub anchoring the southern corridor of Dubai. The development is home to the Logistics District, which connects directly to Jebel Ali Port and JAFZA, creating an integrated multimodal trade corridor. Dubai South also hosted the Expo 2020 site, which has since been repurposed as Expo City Dubai. The project’s phased build-out is calibrated to coincide with the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport, which is planned to become the world’s largest airport by passenger capacity.

Key Data

  • Location: Jebel Ali area, Dubai
  • Total area: 145 square kilometers
  • Planned population capacity: Over 1 million residents
  • Target employment: 500,000 jobs
  • Key districts: Aviation, Logistics, Commercial, Residential, Exhibition, Humanitarian
  • Adjacent infrastructure: Al Maktoum International Airport, Jebel Ali Port, JAFZA

Significance for Vision 2031

Dubai South is a linchpin in the UAE’s Vision 2031 strategy, combining trade infrastructure, urban development, and airport expansion into a single integrated platform. The project directly supports the D33 Agenda’s goal of doubling Dubai’s economy by 2033 and serves as the primary vehicle for scaling the emirate’s logistics and aviation capacity. As Al Maktoum Airport expands, Dubai South is expected to become one of the largest purpose-built economic zones in the world.