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Abu Dhabi's Economy Grows Steadily Across Oil and Non-Oil Sectors
Government statistics and forecasts point to continued growth across oil and non-oil activities in recent periods.
How we reported this
Abu Dhabi's GDP expanded 7.7% in Q3 2025, reaching a record quarterly value of AED 325.7 billion, with the non-oil economy growing 7.6% and contributing 54% of total GDP according to reports from the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi.
Recent Performance Figures
The emirate recorded economic growth for 18 consecutive quarters, driven by double-digit expansion in utilities (16.2%), construction (13.9%), transport and storage (13.8%), and real estate (13.1%). These figures come directly from official releases tracking sector-level activity over multiple periods. New economic licenses increased by 21% and active licenses grew by 12% compared to the previous year, signaling a business boom in the region as noted in data from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development.
Abu Dhabi's GDP reached AED 1.2 trillion (nearly USD 326 billion) in 2024, with a population of 4.14 million and a 3.8% real growth rate over 2023. These totals provide the baseline against which later quarterly results are measured. The Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi and related government portals have published the underlying series that allow these comparisons.
Sector Contributions and License Trends
Non-oil activities accounted for more than half of the Q3 2025 total, reflecting the weight of utilities, construction, transport and storage, and real estate within the broader economy. License data from the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development show the 21% rise in new issuances and 12% increase in active ones, which align with the same period of GDP measurement. These indicators are presented alongside the GDP releases on official portals.
S&P Global Ratings forecasts the economy to expand by 6.23% in 2026, supported by rising oil production and sustained non-oil activity, while maintaining an AA/A-1+ sovereign credit rating. This projection appears in assessments that reference both the recent quarterly results and longer-term trends already recorded.
Next Steps for Observers
Readers can review the full quarterly releases on the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi site and the Department of Economic Development portal for additional sector detail. The next set of updates is expected to follow the established schedule for GDP and license statistics.