United Arab Emirates

Economy & industry overview

The United Arab Emirates is a federation of seven emirates with one of the largest and most diversified economies in the Arab world, anchored by Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Hydrocarbons remain a core pillar, providing roughly a third of GDP, while sustained government-led diversification has grown financial services, real estate, tourism, logistics, and trade into significant contributors. Dubai functions as a major global trade hub and financial centre, while Abu Dhabi is the seat of government and home to the largest sovereign wealth funds in the region. The UAE maintains a business-friendly regulatory environment with no personal income tax, a corporate tax rate of 9 percent introduced in 2023, and a USD-pegged currency that provides monetary stability. Combined market capitalisation of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange and Dubai Financial Market surpassed USD 1.06 trillion at end-2024, reflecting strong IPO activity and foreign investment inflows.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$552.32B
GDP growth real, annual	4.0%
Inflation annual	2.0%
Population people	11.3M
GDP per capita USD	$50,274
Market cap total listed, USD	$1.06T
Market cap / GDP	192.3%
Unemployment	2.2%
Listed companies	170
Exchange	Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM). ADX is the larger of the two by market capitalisation, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, while DFM is based in Dubai. NASDAQ Dubai, located in the Dubai International Financial Centre, operates as an electronic exchange for international and regional listings. (ADX / DFM)

Primary data year: 2024. Sources: World Bank Open Data, UAE Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), IMF World Economic Outlook, Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), Dubai Financial Market (DFM), UAE Central Bank Quarterly Economic Review, Forbes Middle East Top 100 Listed Companies 2025, Arabian Business, AGBI, FocusEconomics, Worldometers, Migrateworld, UAE Official Government Portal (u.ae). Individual figures may cover different reference periods — for example a fiscal year, or an estimate for the current year — and the overview above states these where known.

Local exchange & access

Exchange	Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and Dubai Financial Market (DFM). ADX is the larger of the two by market capitalisation, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, while DFM is based in Dubai. NASDAQ Dubai, located in the Dubai International Financial Centre, operates as an electronic exchange for international and regional listings.
Code	ADX / DFM
Website	www.adx.ae
Currency	AED

Local broker access

Foreign investors can access ADX and DFM-listed securities through local UAE brokerage accounts or via international brokers that provide direct market access to Gulf exchanges. UAE exchanges are open Sunday through Thursday. ADX and DFM impose a 0.15 percent transaction fee and a securities clearing fee; total trading costs vary by broker. Foreign ownership limits apply to certain listed companies, though many have opened to 100 percent foreign ownership following regulatory reforms. US and EU investors should verify their broker's access to specific UAE-listed securities, as direct retail access from outside the region may require specialist platforms.

Global brokers with foreign-market access

• Interactive Brokers — Direct access to 90+ markets worldwide, including many emerging exchanges.
• Saxo Bank — Multi-market access across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
• Charles Schwab (Global) — Foreign ordinary shares on select markets; US-listed ADRs and ETFs.
• Fidelity International Trading — International stock trading on a number of developed and emerging markets.

Listed for convenience only. Not a recommendation. Available markets, fees and onboarding rules differ by broker and by your country of residence.

Relocation & residency

Foreign-investor access

The UAE is a popular relocation destination for expatriates and high-net-worth individuals due to the absence of personal income tax, a stable USD-pegged currency, world-class infrastructure, and cosmopolitan cities. Dubai and Abu Dhabi host large international communities and offer freehold property ownership in designated zones. The UAE introduced a 9 percent corporate tax in June 2023 on business profits exceeding AED 375,000, but individuals remain exempt from personal income tax on salaries and investment returns. Free zones across the UAE offer 100 percent foreign ownership and customs duty exemptions for qualifying businesses.