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 Palm Jumeirah is an artificial archipelago in Dubai constructed in the shape of a stylised palm tree. Built using land reclamation — the process of dredging sand from the seabed and spraying it into position — the island extends into the Persian Gulf and adds approximately 78 kilometres of coastline to Dubai. The development comprises a trunk, a crown of 16 fronds, and a surrounding crescent breakwater. It hosts luxury hotels, residential villas and apartments, retail centres, and entertainment venues.

UAE Context

The Palm Jumeirah was developed by Nakheel, a master developer owned by the Dubai government. Construction began in 2001, and the first residents moved in around 2006-2007. The island is home to globally recognised hospitality properties, including Atlantis, The Palm and the Atlantis The Royal, along with dozens of other five-star hotels and resorts. Residential properties on the fronds and the trunk range from high-rise apartments to beachfront villas. The monorail connecting the trunk to the crescent was the first monorail system in the Middle East.

Key Data

The island used an estimated 94 million cubic metres of sand and 7 million tonnes of rock during construction. It spans approximately 5 kilometres by 5 kilometres and is visible from space. The Palm Jumeirah is home to an estimated resident population of several tens of thousands, supported by its own schools, retail centres, and community amenities. Its shoreline hotels collectively offer thousands of luxury rooms serving international tourists.

Vision 2031 Significance

The Palm Jumeirah established Dubai’s reputation for audacious urban engineering and premium tourism development. It remains a key driver of hospitality revenue, a globally recognised symbol of the city, and a benchmark for future coastal and land-reclamation projects in the UAE and the wider region.

  • Nakheel — The Dubai government-owned developer that built the island.
  • Burj Khalifa — The other globally iconic Dubai engineering landmark.
  • D33 Agenda — Dubai’s economic plan leveraging tourism assets like the Palm.
  • Dubai Creek — A contrasting historic waterway reflecting Dubai’s maritime heritage.