Abu Dhabi’s quarterly GDP hits record $89bn

• Abu Dhabi GDP up 7.7% in Q3
• Non-oil accounted for 54%
• Construction and manufacturing strong

Abu Dhabi’s economy expanded in the third quarter of 2025, underpinned by growth momentum in non-oil activities.

The emirate’s GDP grew by 7.7 percent year on year between July and September, reaching a record quarterly value of AED326 billion ($88.8 billion), the state-run Wam news agency reported, quoting the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi.

The non-oil sector increased by 7.6 percent year on year, driven by Abu Dhabi’s long-term economic diversification strategy.

Preliminary estimates indicate that non-oil activities accounted for 54 percent of total GDP during the quarter, generating value added of AED176 billion.

Over the first nine months, the emirate’s GDP grew by 5 percent year on year, while the non-oil economy expanded by 6.8 percent.

Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said the emirate’s economy has recorded growth for 18 consecutive quarters, driven by the strong performance of non-oil sectors and the regulatory approach in responding to evolving market trends.

Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi director-general, said foreign investment reached AED1.1 trillion.

The construction sector was one of the strongest performers, growing by 14 percent year on year and adding AED31 billion to GDP.

The financial and insurance sector grew by 8.5 percent, contributing AED21 billion to the GDP.

The real estate sector rose by 13 percent, adding AED12.1 billion to the economy.

Manufacturing generated AED31 billion in value added in the third quarter and contributed 9.4 percent to GDP.  The sector growth was supported by industrial expansion, logistics integration and initiatives to strengthen local manufacturing capacity and in-country value chains.

Abu Dhabi’s real GDP expanded by 4 percent year on year in 2024, reaching AED1.2 trillion, thanks to an annualised 6 percent increase in the non-oil economy.

In September, the UAE central bank expected the country’s economy to expand by 4.9 percent in 2025, higher than the 4.4 percent growth predicted earlier this year. The growth momentum will continue into 2026, with the gross domestic product (GDP) forecast to reach 5.3 percent.

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The UAE cabinet has already approved the federal budget for 2026, with estimated revenue of AED92.4 billion ($25.2 billion) and similar, balanced expenditure.

The momentum in the non-oil sector has continued into 2026, with new business growing at the fastest pace for nearly two years in January, according to the latest monthly S&P Global UAE Purchasing Managers’ Index.

“The UAE’s non-oil economy started the year on a solid footing, as new orders increased steeply, prompting firms to lift output and sharply expand their purchases,” said David Owen, senior economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence.