United Arab Emirates

Economy & industry overview

The United Arab Emirates is a high-income, diversified economy in the Gulf, anchored historically by hydrocarbon revenues from Abu Dhabi but increasingly driven by non-oil sectors including finance, real estate, tourism, and logistics. Real GDP grew 6.2% in 2025 to AED 1.9 trillion, with the non-oil sector expanding 6.8%, led by construction, financial services, and real estate. The country hosts two main equity markets — the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX) and the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) — with a combined market capitalisation exceeding USD 1 trillion as of end-2025. Abu Dhabi's state energy company ADNOC and its subsidiaries, as well as large banks such as First Abu Dhabi Bank and Emirates NBD, dominate the listed-company landscape. The AED is pegged to the USD at approximately 3.673, which anchors inflation and limits monetary-policy flexibility; inflation averaged 1.3% in 2025.

Key sectors

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Macro

GDP nominal, USD	$517.00B
GDP growth real, annual	6.2%
Inflation annual	1.3%
Population people	11.3M
GDP per capita USD	$45,500
Market cap total listed, USD	$1.08T
Market cap / GDP	209.0%
Listed companies	210
Exchange	Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX)

Data year: 2025. Sources: IMF World Economic Outlook April 2026 (GDP, growth, inflation data), The National (UAE GDP hits $517bn in 2025, May 2026), Gulf News (UAE Economy Expands 6.2% in 2025, May 2026), ADX official press release: ADX market cap surpasses $837 billion in 2025, DFM statistics: DFM market cap AED 897 billion at end-March 2025, companiesmarketcap.com: largest UAE companies by market cap (accessed mid-2026), iShares MSCI UAE ETF fact sheet March 2026 (expense ratio 0.59%), topforeignstocks.com: UAE ADR list (December 2025), Interactive Brokers press release: UAE equities access launched December 2025, UAE Ministry of Economy: Golden Visa property investment conditions, Central Bank of UAE Quarterly Economic Review March 2026 (inflation 1.3%), Worldometers: UAE population estimate 2025-2026 (est.), agbi.com: UAE stock markets top $1trn in 2024 (January 2025).

Local exchange & access

Exchange	Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange
Code	ADX
Website	www.adx.ae
Currency	AED

Local broker access

Interactive Brokers launched direct access to both ADX and DFM for its global clients in December 2025, allowing trading in UAE equities in AED through existing accounts. Saxo Bank also provides access to UAE equities through its global platform. Local brokers such as EFG Hermes UAE, Mashreq Capital, Emirates NBD Securities, ADCB Securities, and FAB Securities are regulated by the UAE Securities and Commodities Authority (SCA) and offer accounts to both UAE residents and, in many cases, non-resident foreign investors. To open a local brokerage account, investors typically need a valid passport, proof of address, and bank account details; residents also provide their Emirates ID. An Investor Number (NIN) from the relevant exchange is required before trading and is typically arranged by the broker.

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

Foreign nationals, including non-residents, may invest in stocks listed on the ADX and DFM subject to registration with a licensed UAE broker and obtaining an Investor Number (NIN) from the respective exchange. Foreign ownership limits (FOL) vary by company and sector; many listed companies allow up to 49% foreign ownership while some have raised the limit to 100% under 2020 amendments to the Commercial Companies Law. Strategic and government-linked entities may have lower caps. The DFM publishes real-time FOL data per security on its website. As of 2024, foreign investors accounted for approximately 50% of total DFM trading value and held 21% of total DFM market cap. Free-zone companies and certain sectors (banking, telecom, defence) may have additional restrictions.