The International Monetary Fund has revised its forecast for the UAE’s real GDP growth to 4.8 percent for this year, signaling stronger-than-expected economic momentum in the country.
The latest projection marks an increase from the IMF’s April estimate, reflecting the UAE’s resilient performance amid a slowing global economy.
In its newly released World Economic Outlook, the IMF also maintained its forecast for 2026, expecting the UAE’s economy to expand by 5 percent next year. The upgrade underscores the nation’s robust diversification efforts, steady fiscal management, and ongoing investment in non-oil sectors.
Globally, the IMF expects growth to ease from 3.3 percent in 2024 to 3.2 percent in 2025 and 3.1 percent in 2026. Advanced economies are forecast to grow at around 1.5 percent, while emerging markets and developing economies are expected to record growth slightly above 4 percent.
For the Middle East and Central Asia, the Fund projects economic growth to accelerate from 2.6 percent in 2024 to 3.5 percent in 2025 and 3.8 percent in 2026, with next year’s outlook revised upward by half a percentage point compared to April.
The IMF emphasized the importance of maintaining policy credibility and transparency to sustain recovery, urging governments to rebuild fiscal buffers, safeguard central bank independence, and strengthen structural reforms. It also highlighted the need for trade diplomacy to work alongside macroeconomic adjustments to foster global stability and confidence.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
