Abu Dhabi’s economy delivered robust growth in the second quarter of 2025, with real GDP reaching AED 306.3bn ($83.4bn), an increase of 3.8 per cent year-on-year, according to Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD). Non-oil activity climbed 6.6 per cent to AED 174.1bn ($47.4bn), marking its highest-ever second-quarter value and accounting for 56.8 per cent of GDP.
Across the first half of 2025, the total GDP reached AED 597.4 billion ($162.7 billion), up 3.63 percent compared to H1 2024. Non-oil sectors expanded 6.37 per cent to AED 337.6bn ($91.9bn), reinforcing Abu Dhabi’s diversification strategy and the resilience of its economic model.
Leadership commentary
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 and detailed roadmaps to accelerate growth and diversification.
Our non-oil sectors, which achieved 6.6 per cent annual growth in Q2 2025, are now the leading drivers of economic performance, underpinned by a globally competitive business ecosystem and world-class infrastructure.”
Abdulla Gharib Alqemzi, Director-General of SCAD, added:
“The consecutive records in Q1 and Q2 2025 highlight not only economic strength, but also the effectiveness of policy planning grounded in high-quality data. As Abu Dhabi advances its AED 13bn ($3.54bn) Digital Strategy to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, SCAD is enabling this transition with timely and integrated statistics.”
Sector performance in Q2 2025
- Manufacturing: AED 30.1bn ($8.2bn), +3.1% y-o-y; largest non-oil contributor at 9.8% of GDP. Industrial GDP up 23% since ADIS launch in 2022.
- Construction: AED 30bn ($8.17bn), +9.7%; supported by housing and infrastructure, aided by AI-powered Binaa platform.
- Finance & Insurance: AED 21.8bn ($5.94bn), +10.3%; reflecting Abu Dhabi’s financial hub status.
- Capital Markets: ADGM reported H1 increases of 42% in AUM, 47% in licenses, and 42% in operational entities; ADX trading value increased by 33.5%, while foreign net investment rose by 99.5%.
- Real Estate: AED 11.7bn ($3.2bn), +10.2%; H1 transactions up 39%, FDI up 3.3% after 125% surge in 2024.
- ICT: AED 8.6bn ($2.34bn), +6%; driven by AED 13bn Digital Strategy 2025–2027.
- Wholesale & Retail: AED 16bn ($4.36bn), +1.6%; supported by a 34.7% rise in non-oil trade.
- Professional & Technical Services: AED 9bn ($2.45bn), +10%.
- Transportation & Storage: AED 7.5bn ($2.04bn), +7.5%; bolstered by KEZAD’s KLP21 hub.
- Utilities: +12.5%; Arts, recreation, and other services +12%.
Economic outlook
Q2’s results, following a strong Q1, highlight Abu Dhabi’s sustained growth trajectory. Consecutive records across leading non-oil industries confirm the emirate’s policy clarity, diversification agenda, and resilience. With its Digital Strategy and ambition to become the world’s first AI-native government by 2027, Abu Dhabi is shaping a diversified, inclusive, and globally competitive economy.
