The Abu Dhabi economy recorded robust growth in the second quarter of 2025, with real GDP reaching AED 306.3bn ($83.4bn), up 3.8 per cent year-on-year.
Non-oil activity rose 6.6 per cent to AED 174.1bn ($47.4bn), its highest-ever second-quarter value and accounting for 56.8 per cent of total GDP.
The Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD) reported that in the first half of 2025, Abu Dhabi’s economy maintained strong momentum, with GDP reaching AED597.4bn ($162.7bn), an increase of 3.63 per cent compared with H1 2024.
Abu Dhabi economy
Non-oil sectors grew even faster, expanding 6.37 per cent year-on-year to AED 337.6bn ($91.9bn).
This performance underscores the emirate’s sustained diversification strategy, the rising weight of non-oil industries, and the resilience of Abu Dhabi’s economic model.
Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED), said: “The consistent growth of Abu Dhabi’s GDP over the past few years underscores the emirate’s position as a dynamic economic hub guided by an ambitious vision, a multi-dimensional strategy, and detailed roadmaps to accelerate economic growth and diversification.
“Our non-oil sectors, which accounted for 56.8 per cent of GDP and achieved a 6.6 per cent annual growth in Q2-2025 driven by key sectors such as manufacturing, construction, finance, real estate, and ICT, have emerged as leading drivers, underpinned by a globally competitive business ecosystem, and world-class infrastructure.
“Our Falcon Economy is building a future-ready economy; one that is diversified, resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive. The consistency of our GDP results underscores the effectiveness of Abu Dhabi’s progressive initiatives and forward-looking policies.
“Our priority remains building an innovation-led, high-value economy, that expands private sector opportunities and enables all segments of society to realise their full potential.”
Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Director-General of SCAD, added: “The consecutive records achieved in Q1 and Q2 2025 highlight not only economic strength, but also the effectiveness of policy planning grounded in high-quality data.
“As the government advances its AED13bn ($3.54bn) digital strategy to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, SCAD is playing a central role in enabling this transition through timely, reliable, and integrated statistics.”
Sector performance
- Manufacturing: Largest non-oil contributor at AED30.1bn ($8.2bn), up 3.1 per cent year-on-year, accounting for 9.8 per cent of GDP. Since the launch of the Abu Dhabi Industrial Strategy (ADIS) in 2022, industrial GDP has grown 23 per cent, with enterprises up 19.4 per cent
- Construction: Rose 9.7 per cent to AED30bn ($8.17bn), also 9.8 per cent of GDP. Supported by housing and infrastructure projects, the sector benefited from innovations such as the AI-powered Binaa platform, which reduces permit times by up to 70 per cent
- Finance and insurance: Expanded 10.3 per cent to AED21.8bn ($5.94bn), contributing 7.1 per cent of GDP, bolstered by Abu Dhabi’s financial hub role
- Capital markets: Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) reported H1 2025 increases of 42 per cent in assets under management, 47 per cent in new business licences, and 42 per cent in operational entities. Meanwhile, the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) saw trading value up 33.5 per cent and foreign net investment up 99.5 per cent
- Real estate: AED11.7bn ($3.2bn) in Q2 2025, up 10.2 per cent year-on-year, 3.8 per cent of GDP. H1 2025 transactions rose 39 per cent, with foreign direct investment increasing 3.3 per cent, following a 125 per cent surge in 2024
- ICT: AED8.6bn ($2.34bn), up 6 per cent year-on-year, driven by the AED13bn ($3.54bn) Digital Strategy 2025–2027
- Wholesale and retail: AED 16bn ($4.36bn), up 1.6 per cent, representing 5.2 per cent of GDP, supported by a 34.7 per cent rise in non-oil trade
- Professional and technical services: AED9bn ($2.45bn), up 10 per cent, accounting for 2.9 per cent of GDP
- Transportation and storage: AED7.5bn ($2.04bn), up 7.5 per cent, supported by hubs such as KLP21 at KEZAD
- Utilities: Electricity, gas, and water grew 12.5 per cent. Arts, recreation, and other services grew 12 per cent, reflecting cultural momentum
Abu Dhabi economic outlook
The strong results in Q2 2025, building on Q1 momentum, underline Abu Dhabi’s consistent growth trajectory. Successive quarterly records across leading non-oil industries confirm the emirate’s resilience, diversification, and policy clarity.
With an ambition to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, Abu Dhabi continues to position itself as a diversified, inclusive, and globally competitive economy.
