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

Forward Economy is the second of four national priorities within the We the UAE 2031 national vision. It defines the ambition for a competitive, value-adding, diversified economy that grows at a high rate, focuses on new strategic areas, excels in well-established key sectors, and dominates future potential sectors, while positioning the UAE at the forefront of the digital economy and strengthening its role as a leading force in the energy sector.

Three Focus Areas

The most dynamic and competitive economy. Targets include highly competitive economic growth in partnership with the private sector, leadership in the energy sector (deriving maximum value from oil resources while accelerating the shift to sustainable energy), and positioning at the forefront of sectors and industries of the future including the Fourth Industrial Revolution, space exploration, and renewable energy.

A competitive, flexible, and highly productive human capital. Emirati talent driving economic productivity and making the UAE home to the world’s top talent.

An advanced, innovative environment that creates the future. Becoming the first destination for R&D investment and an attractive incubator for future innovators and entrepreneurs.

Key KPIs

GDP target: AED 3 trillion. Non-oil GDP share target: 80%+. Non-oil foreign trade: AED 4 trillion. FDI inflows: USD 30 billion+. Industrial GDP: AED 300 billion (Operation 300bn). Global Competitiveness Rank: Top 5.