Abu Dhabi's economy expanded by 3.8 per cent annually in 2024 to reach an all-time high value of Dh1.2 trillion as the emirate's non-oil sector continued to grow amid its diversification push.
The emirate's non-oil sector during the 12-month period grew 6.2 per cent to Dh644.3 billion, marking its highest annual contribution yet to the total gross domestic product at 54.7 per cent, Wam reported on Friday, quoting data from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi.
Sectors including manufacturing, construction, finance and insurance, information and communication, wholesale and retail trade, education and health achieved their highest-ever growth values, “reflecting the emirate's commitment to industrial development, infrastructure investment and human capital enhancement”, the report said.
Abu Dhabi has continued its shift away from oil and has taken several measures to attract international investors, boost its competitiveness and improve the ease of conducting business.
In 2022, the emirate launched an industrial strategy to improve the contribution of the sector to the economy, by investing Dh10 billion across six programmes to more than double the emirate’s manufacturing to Dh172 billion by 2031.
Abu Dhabi also plans to boost the tourism sector's contribution to its GDP to 12 per cent by 2030, from 5 per cent in 2023. It has also laid out long-term strategies to further develop sectors including aviation and technology, with new investments in artificial intelligence.
The record-breaking growth “further enhances Abu Dhabi's status as a rising economic powerhouse and a premier destination for global talent, high-value investments, and world-class enterprises“, Ahmed Al Zaabi, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development, said.
“We are future-proofing Abu Dhabi's economy through...initiatives that drive industrial transformation, stimulate sustainable growth and reshape tomorrow's economy.”
The manufacturing sector grew by 2.7 per cent annually last year, contributing 9.5 per cent to the total GDP, while the construction sector expanded by 11.3 per cent with a 9.1 per cent contribution and financial and insurance sector by 10.7 per cent, with its contribution at 6.6 per cent of the total GDP.
The information and communication sector, meanwhile, grew by 6.6 per cent year-on-year to reach a record value of Dh32.2 billion and contributing 2.2 per cent to Abu Dhabi's total GDP in 2024.
The transportation and storage sector achieved the highest growth rate among all industries last year at 16.9 per cent, driven by infrastructure investments, logistics advancements and increased trade activity, the report said.
The sector's contribution to Abu Dhabi's economy stands at 2.4 per cent with a total value of Dh27.8 billion.
The real estate sector grew by 4.2 per cent in 2024, amid continued demand.
In the fourth quarter of 2024, Abu Dhabi's GDP expanded by 4.4 per cent, while non-oil GDP expanded by 6.6 per cent, maintaining its record-high contribution of 54.7 per cent to the total GDP, according to the report.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
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Takreem Awards winners 2021
Corporate Leadership: Carl Bistany (Lebanon)
Cultural Excellence: Hoor Al Qasimi (UAE)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Bkerzay (Lebanon)
Environmental Development and Sustainability: Raya Ani (Iraq)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Women’s Programs Association (Lebanon)
Humanitarian and Civic Services: Osamah Al Thini (Libya)
Excellence in Education: World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) (Qatar)
Outstanding Arab Woman: Balghis Badri (Sudan)
Scientific and Technological Achievement: Mohamed Slim Alouini (KSA)
Young Entrepreneur: Omar Itani (Lebanon)
Lifetime Achievement: Suad Al Amiry (Palestine)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
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Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Europe’s rearming plan
- Suspend strict budget rules to allow member countries to step up defence spending
- Create new "instrument" providing €150 billion of loans to member countries for defence investment
- Use the existing EU budget to direct more funds towards defence-related investment
- Engage the bloc's European Investment Bank to drop limits on lending to defence firms
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