Dubai & UAE Business Setup Statistics & Trends: 2026 Data & Insights

The business environment is dynamic and constantly evolving - particularly in Dubai and across the UAE. Business trends, company registration guidelines, and regulatory policies change frequently, making it essential for entrepreneurs to stay informed. Keeping a close eye on the latest business statistics in the UAE is critical to staying competitive and making informed decisions.

As the Founder and CEO of MSZ Consultancy, I have learned that staying ahead of emerging trends is vital to long-term business success, especially in a fast-moving market like Dubai. Whether you are planning to set up a new business in Dubai or already operate within the Emirate, I have compiled the key statistics you need to stay informed and navigate the UAE’s evolving business landscape with confidence.

Dubai and the UAE continue to lead global business hubs in 2026, with surging company registrations and FDI. These statistics highlight why entrepreneurs choose the UAE setup - backed by data from official sources and MSZ Consultancy insights.

New Company Registrations & Growth

1. DIFC registered 1,081 new active companies in H1 2025, a 32% increase from H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025)
2. DIFC reached a total of 7,700 active registered companies in H1 2025, a 25% year-on-year increase from 6,153 in H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025).
3. DIFC employed 47,901 professionals in H1 2025, a 9% increase from 43,787 in H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025).
4. DIFC had 980 entities regulated by the DFSA in H1 2025, a 17% year-on-year increase from H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025)​
5. DIFC issued 78 financial services authorisations in H1 2025, a 28% year-on-year growth from 61 in H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025)​
6. DIFC hosted 289 companies in the banking and capital markets sector in H1 2025, a 17% growth from 247 in H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025)​
7. DIFC had 440 firms in the wealth and asset management cluster in H1 2025, a 19% year-on-year increase from 370 in H1 2024. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) - 2025)​

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

1. Dubai ranked as the world's No.1 destination for greenfield FDI projects for the fourth successive year in 2024, according to Financial Times Ltd.’s fDi Markets data. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)
2. Dubai attracted a record-breaking 1,117 greenfield FDI projects in 2024, the highest number in its history. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)
3. Dubai recorded an estimated AED 52.3 billion ($14.24 billion) in FDI capital in 2024, a 33.2% increase from AED 39.26 billion ($10.69 billion) in 2023. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)
4. Dubai achieved a historic 1,826 total announced FDI projects in 2024, an 11% increase from 1,650 projects in 2023. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)
5. Dubai held a 6.2% global market share and a 55% share of the Middle East’s total greenfield FDI projects in 2024. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)
6. Dubai ranked fourth globally for attracting greenfield FDI capital in 2024, up from fifth position in 2023, while maintaining the top spot in the Middle East and Africa region. (Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) - 2025)

Top Nationalities & Investor Origins

1. Dubai Chamber of Commerce attracted 9,038 new companies owned by Indian nationals in H1 2025, a 14.9% year-on-year growth. (Dubai Chambers press release - 2025)
2. Dubai Chamber of Commerce registered 4,281 new companies from Pakistan in H1 2025, an 8.1% year-on-year increase. (Dubai Chambers press release - 2025)
3. Dubai Chamber of Commerce welcomed 2,540 new companies from Egypt in H1 2025, reflecting an 8.3% year-on-year growth. (Dubai Chambers press release - 2025)
4. Dubai Chamber of Commerce saw 1,541 new companies from Bangladesh in H1 2025, marking the highest growth rate among top nationalities at 37.5% year-on-year. (Dubai Chambers press release - 2025)
5. Dubai Chamber of Commerce added 1,385 new companies from the United Kingdom in H1 2025, an 11.1% year-on-year increase. (Dubai Chambers press release - 2025)

Free Zones & Setup Trends

1. UAE has over 45-46 specialized free zones, hosting 150,000+ companies. (Wikipedia - 2025)
2. Free zones saw family business entities rise 73% to 1,035 in DIFC by H1 2025. (Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Press Release - 2025)

Popular Sectors & Investments

1. Dubai's real estate sector recorded transactions worth AED 431 billion in H1 2025, a 25% year-on-year increase from AED 345 billion in H1 2024. (Dubai Media Office - 2025)
2. Dubai's real estate market saw 125,538 transactions in H1 2025, a 26% increase from 99,947 transactions in H1 2024. (Dubai Media Office - 2025)
3. Real estate investments in Dubai reached AED 326 billion through 118,132 investments by 94,717 investors in H1 2025, reflecting a 39% rise in value from AED 234 billion in H1 2024. (Dubai Media Office - 2025)
4. Dubai attracted 59,075 new investors to the real estate market in H1 2025, contributing AED 157 billion in investments. (Dubai Media Office - 2025)
5. The UAE e-commerce market size currently stands at USD 11.05 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 20.54 billion by 2030, advancing at a 12.39% CAGR over 2025-2030. (Mordor Intelligence)
6. By B2C product category, fashion held 22% of the UAE e-commerce market size in 2024, whereas food and beverage is advancing at a 15.2% CAGR to 2030. (Mordor Intelligence)

Get Inspired by Dubai Business Stats

Dubai and the UAE continue to position themselves as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and global investors. The statistics highlighted on this page reflect a business ecosystem driven by strong economic fundamentals, progressive regulations, and sustained growth across key sectors.

For founders, investors, and business leaders, staying informed with accurate, up-to-date data is no longer optional - it is a strategic advantage. Whether you are evaluating market entry, planning expansion, or optimizing an existing operation, these insights can help you make confident, data-driven decisions.

At MSZ Consultancy, we closely track these developments to help businesses navigate the UAE market with clarity and confidence. As the landscape continues to evolve, staying informed today will position your business for success tomorrow.