UAE real GDP grew 0.4% in first half of 2026 despite Iran war, but fell 2.1% in Q2
The UAE's statistics centre says real GDP rose 0.4% year on year to Dh961.9 billion in the first half of 2026, helped by non-oil activity. Second-quarter output fell 2.1%, with tourism, transport and trade hit by regional developments and travel disruption.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The UAE's real gross domestic product grew 0.4 per cent year on year to Dh961.9 billion ($262 billion) at constant prices in the first half of 2026, according to the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). Gulf NewsN “the UAE's real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached Dh961.9 billion at constant prices in the first half of 2026, recording growth of 0.4 percent compared to the same period in 2025” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “grew 0.4 per cent annually to Dh961.9 billion ($262 billion) in the first half of 2026” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Non-oil GDP grew by 1.8 per cent, and non-oil activities accounted for 79.2 per cent of the economy, up from 78.1 per cent a year earlier; oil activities made up 20.8 per cent. Gulf NewsN “Non-oil GDP grew by 1.8 percent, increasing the contribution of non-oil activities to 79.2 percent of the national economy, compared to 78.1 percent during the corresponding period of the previous year”“while oil activities accounted for 20.8 percent” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 2In the second quarter, real GDP was Dh476.9 billion, a fall of 2.1 per cent from the same period in 2025, and non-oil activities contracted by 1.1 per cent. Gulf NewsN “In the second quarter of 2026, the UAE's real GDP reached Dh476.9 billion, representing a decline of 2.1 percent” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “Non-oil activities also contracted by 1.1 per cent” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 2The FCSC said tourism, transport and trade were among the sectors affected by regional developments and disruptions to travel; The National links the period to the impact of the Iran war. Gulf NewsN “particularly tourism, transport, and trade, were affected by regional developments and disruptions to travel” Read at Gulf News ↗ The NationalN “despite the impact of the Iran war” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Financial and insurance activities grew fastest among major sectors in the first half, at 14.8 per cent, followed by information and communication (7.3), health and social work (6), construction (5.1), government activities (3.6) and real estate (2.3). Gulf NewsN “Financial and insurance activities recorded the highest growth rate among major economic activities in the first half of 2026, rising by 14.8 percent” Read at Gulf News ↗ Centre · 1Within non-oil GDP, trade contributed the most at 16.2 per cent, ahead of financial and insurance activities (15.2), construction (13.1), manufacturing (11.8) and real estate (7.9). Gulf NewsN “trade activities ranked first, accounting for 16.2 percent, followed by financial and insurance activities at 15.2 percent, construction at 13.1 percent” Read at Gulf News ↗
Centre · 2The FCSC described the results as reflecting continued diversification of the economy. It said the figures are preliminary estimates, and that an updated national GDP series under its Comprehensive GDP Revision Programme will be released after the revision results are approved in the first quarter of 2027. The NationalN “reflect the continued diversification of the UAE's economic base and the growing role of non-oil activities” Read at The National ↗ Gulf NewsN “The GDP results for the first half and second quarter of 2026 are preliminary estimates”“The updated national GDP time series will be released following the approval of the comprehensive revision results in the first quarter of 2027” Read at Gulf News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Both outlets lead with the FCSC's headline growth figure. The National ties it explicitly to the Iran war; Gulf News stresses diversification and sector detail.
- Emphasis
- Non-oil resilience and diversification; Gulf News adds sector growth rates and contributions.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Neither gives independent analysis or outside economists' views. Gulf News does not name the Iran war in its text; The National's short piece omits sector breakdowns.
- Charged language
- “continued diversification”“despite the impact of the Iran war”
- For example
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“despite the impact of the Iran war” — The National
“continued pivotal role of non-oil activities in the national economy” — Gulf News
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Real GDP was Dh961.9 billion in H1 2026, up 0.4% year on year.
- Q2 2026 real GDP was Dh476.9 billion, down 2.1%, with non-oil activity down 1.1%.
- Non-oil activities' share of GDP was 79.2%.
- The figures come from the FCSC.
Where accounts differ
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What the 1.8% non-oil figure measures
- Centre
- Gulf News says non-oil GDP grew 1.8% and its share rose to 79.2%; The National says the non-oil sector's contribution 'increased by 1.8 per cent to 79.2 per cent'.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre2 articles
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UAE economy reaches Dh961.9 billion in first half of 2026, growing 0.4%
Neutral Detailed relay of the FCSC statement, emphasising non-oil diversification and sector figures, and attributing the Q2 fall to regional developments and travel disruption.
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UAE economy grew in first half of 2026 despite impact of Iran war
Neutral Short report framing growth as coming despite the Iran war, quoting the FCSC on diversification.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 9 Oct 11:23 First Gulf NewsN UAE economy reaches Dh961.9 billion in first half of 2026, growing 0.4%
- 9 Oct 11:39 +16m The NationalN UAE economy grew in first half of 2026 despite impact of Iran war
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.