GDP in United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates - GDP
Growth dips in 2016 as fiscal austerity bites
The UAE’s economy slowed last year according to recently released figures from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Authority (FCSA), in line with other countries across the Middle East. Growth dipped from 3.8% in 2015 to 3.0% in 2016, the slowest expansion since 2010, dragged down by fiscal austerity measures and low oil prices.
Private consumption rebounded last year following a sharp contraction in 2015 (2016: +11.7% year-on-year; 2015: -13.1% yoy), likely due in part to subdued inflationary pressures boosting households’ purchasing power. Public spending fell for the second consecutive year, as the government continued to exercise fiscal restraint in the face of low oil prices and a consequent revenue shortfall (2016: -1.2% yoy; 2015: -0.3% yoy). Fixed investment growth was dampened by a fall in public investment, as the government tightened the purse strings with respect to both capital and current spending (2016: +2.3% yoy; 2015. +4.3% yoy).
Previously released external sector figures from the Central Bank show that exports dipped slightly last year, likely dragged down by the strong dirham (2016: -0.6% yoy; 2015: -12.4% yoy). Over the same period, imports rose (2016: +2.9% yoy; 2015: -4.6% yoy), with the external sector’s net contribution to growth deteriorating as a result.
This year is likely to see a further slowdown in growth, as oil production will be curtailed by OPEC production cuts, with the cartel recently announcing a nine-month extension to the deal. Looking further ahead, oil production should rise from 2018 onwards due to investment in oilfields, which coupled with higher prices will give the hydrocarbon sector a boost. At the same time, public infrastructure investment will ramp up considerably ahead of the 2020 World Expo in Dubai, which should give domestic demand a shot in the arm.
FocusEconomics Consensus Forecast participants expect GDP to expand 2.3% in 2017, which is down 0.2 percentage points from last month’s projection. For 2018, the panel sees the economy growing 3.4%.
United Arab Emirates - GDP Data
2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Economic Growth (GDP, annual variation in %) | 5.1 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 1.2 | 1.7 |
United Arab Emirates GDP Chart

Source: National Bureau of Statistics.
United Arab Emirates Facts
Value | Change | Date | |
---|---|---|---|
Exchange Rate | 3.67 | 0.0 % | Dec 31 |
Stock Market | 0.1 | 0.75 % | Jan 07 |
Sample Report
Get a sample report showing our regional, country and commodities data and analysis.
Request a Trial
Start working with the reports used by the world’s major financial institutions, multinational enterprises & government agencies now. Click on the button below to get started.
Economic News
-
United Arab Emirates: Consumer prices record joint-smallest fall since March 2020 in January
April 6, 2021
Consumer prices increased 0.15% in January over the previous month, accelerating from the 0.09% rise seen in December.
-
United Arab Emirates: PMI increases to 20-month high in March
April 5, 2021
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) increased to its highest value since July 2019 in March, clocking in at 52.6, up from February’s 50.6.
-
United Arab Emirates: PMI falls to three-month low in February, but remains in expansionary territory
March 3, 2021
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) ticked down to a three-month low in February, clocking in at 50.6 and down from January’s 16-month high of 51.2.
-
United Arab Emirates: PMI remains at 16-month high in January
February 3, 2021
The IHS Markit Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) was stable at 51.2 in January, matching December 2020’s print.
-
United Arab Emirates: Consumer prices record joint-smallest fall since April in December
February 3, 2021
Consumer prices increased 0.09% in December over the previous month, swinging from the 0.11% fall seen in November.