World Bank Forecasts 5% Growth for UAE Economy in 2026, Rising to 5.1% in 2027

The World Bank has issued a positive outlook for the United Arab Emirates (UAE) economy, projecting a growth rate of 5% for the current year, 2026. The growth momentum is expected to accelerate further to 5.1% in 2027.

In its latest "Global Economic Prospects" report released on Tuesday, the World Bank highlighted the resilience of the UAE's economic sectors. The report, cited by the Emirates News Agency (WAM), also provided broader regional forecasts:

GCC Region: Growth in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is expected to rise to 4.4% in 2026 and reach 4.6% in 2027.

MENAP Region: Growth across the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) is projected to hit 3.6% in 2026, improving to 3.9% in 2027.

Global Economic Resilience The World Bank noted that the global economy has proven more resilient than previously anticipated, despite ongoing trade tensions and policy uncertainties. Global growth is expected to remain steady, dipping slightly to 2.6% in 2026 before recovering to 2.7% in 2027—a slight upward revision from earlier forecasts in June.

The report attributes the UAE's robust performance to its successful diversification efforts and continued investment in non-oil sectors, positioning the country as a leading growth driver within the GCC.