The contribution of the non-oil sector to the overall GDP increased to 79.2 percent during the first six months of the year, marking an 1.8 percent rise. The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC) highlighted this growth as a reflection of the UAE's ongoing economic diversification and the increasing significance of non-oil sectors.
Trade was the largest contributor to non-oil GDP, accounting for 16.2 percent, followed by financial and insurance services at 15.2 percent. Other key sectors included construction (13.1 percent), manufacturing (11.8 percent), and real estate (7.9 percent).
Within the non-oil economy, the financial and insurance sector experienced the most significant growth rate, expanding by 14.8 percent in the first half of 2026. Information and communication services followed with a 7.3 percent increase, while health and social work grew by 6 percent.
Despite a dip in the second quarter, where real GDP declined by 2.1 percent annually and non-oil activities contracted by 1.1 percent due to regional disruptions affecting tourism, transport, and trade, the non-oil sector has shown signs of recovery. Purchasing Managers' Index data for September indicated a stable and growing non-oil economy, suggesting a rebound from the midyear slowdown.