Multiple dividends drive market growth
The superposition of the triple dividends of policy, economy, and planning has made the UAE market full of opportunities.
1. The diversified engine drives growth, and non-oil industries have become the core pillar.
The UAE economy showed strong resilience in 2024, with real GDP growing by 4% year-on-year to 1.78 trillion dirhams, a growth rate higher than the 3.9% predicted by the central bank at the beginning of the year. Although the central bank lowered its growth forecasts for this year and next by 0.3 percentage points to 4.4% and 5.4% in June 2025, the continuous efforts of the non-oil economy have injected confidence into the market - the GDP of non-oil industries reached 1.34 trillion dirhams in 2024, accounting for 75.5%, a record high.
2. Influx of Foreign Nationals + Dominance of Young and Middle-aged Population, Sustained Release of Demographic Dividend
According to estimates from the third-party data research institution GMI, as of 2024, the total population of the UAE has reached 12.5 million, an increase of 2.33 million compared to 2023, with a growth rate of 23%. The continuous influx of foreign nationals is a key factor in the rapid population growth. Currently, the foreign population stands at 11.06 million, accounting for 88.5%, far exceeding the 1.44 million native Emirati population. In terms of age structure, the young and middle-aged population aged 25-54 accounts for a high proportion of 68.62%, becoming the absolute main force. While providing sufficient labor, this young group generally has a strong willingness to consume, making a significant contribution to the economic development of the cities.
3. Relaxed Policy Environment, Influx of International Investment
In the process of continuously consolidating its position as a global core investment destination, the UAE has further optimized its visa policies to enhance attractiveness. In February 2025, the UAE lowered the threshold for the Golden Visa, abolishing the requirement for a minimum down payment of 1 million dirhams for the Golden Visa, and allowing applications through combined real estate or off-plan property investments (with a 50% down payment or bank guarantee required). According to the "2025 World Investment Report" released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the UAE ranked among the world's top 10 destinations for foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2024, attracting 167.6 billion dirhams in overseas direct investment that year, a significant increase of 48% from the previous year. Even against the backdrop of a complex and volatile global economic situation, the UAE has still solidified its position as a global core investment destination.