Business

Digital Dubai has invited more than 16,000 economic establishments across the emirate, including businesses operating in free zones, to participate in the Dubai Economic Survey 2026, an initiative that provides the official data used to measure the emirate's economic performance and support future policymaking.

Conducted annually by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment (DDSE), the survey's fieldwork will continue until December 31, 2026, gathering data from businesses across a wide range of economic sectors.

Supporting Dubai's Economic Agenda D33

The survey is a key component of the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33), helping strengthen the emirate's economic data ecosystem while providing policymakers with reliable information to support sustainable economic growth and informed decision-making.

The collected data forms the foundation for producing Dubai's official economic indicators, offering a comprehensive picture of the emirate's economic performance across multiple industries.

Survey Covers Key Economic Sectors

The Dubai Economic Survey 2026 covers a broad spectrum of sectors, including:

1. Industry
2. Trade
3. Services
4. Financial and insurance activities
5. Real estate
6. Transport
7. Construction
8. Healthcare
9. Education
10. Technology and information
11. Hotels and restaurants
12. Culture and creative industries
13. Other economic activities

The survey targets more than 16,000 establishments, selected using approved statistical methodologies to ensure balanced representation across industries and business sizes, resulting in high-quality and reliable economic data.

Data Supports Official Economic Indicators

Information collected through the survey is used to produce several of Dubai's key economic indicators, including:

1. Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
2. Production levels
3. Intermediate consumption
4. Value added
5. Employee compensation
6. Employment across economic sectors

The data also measures the contribution of free zones, the digital economy, and the cultural and creative industries, helping government entities identify emerging economic opportunities and develop future growth strategies.

Dubai Economy Continues to Expand

Preliminary estimates based on the integrated data system indicate continued economic growth across the emirate.

According to the estimates:

1. Dubai's GDP at current market prices increased from AED 890 billion in 2024 to AED 972 billion in 2025.
2. The number of employed persons rose from 4.48 million to 4.69 million during the same period.
3. Compensation of employees increased from AED 397 billion to AED 409 billion, reflecting expanding economic activity and continued job creation across the emirate.

Reliable Data Supports Better Decision-Making

H.E. Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said accurate and up-to-date economic data has become one of the most valuable strategic assets for governments and cities.

He noted that the Dubai Economic Survey 2026 serves as a vital foundation for building a comprehensive economic knowledge base by providing the data required to produce official indicators, understand economic changes, evaluate policy outcomes, and identify future growth opportunities.

Al Nasser added that these efforts support Dubai's ambition to build a knowledge- and data-driven economy, enabling more accurate, effective and proactive decision-making while advancing the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

He emphasized that participation by businesses extends beyond simply providing information, describing it as a direct contribution to strengthening official economic indicators and supporting sustainable development across the emirate.

Commitment to Data Privacy

The Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality, noting that all information collected through the survey is protected under strict procedures and used exclusively for statistical purposes in accordance with its mandate as Dubai's official authority for collecting and publishing economic data.

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