Data
GCC Economic Pulse
$3.6TUSD, 2024
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2024
Source: IMF
Explore in MarketsThe numbers behind the Gulf’s growth story.
12 indicators, free-zone economics and GCC comparisons: the data layer beneath every market-entry decision, each figure with its source and period.
Updated 8 June 2026DIFC · Dubai · GST / UTC+4
UAE CT9%
DXB GDP+3.4%
UAE VAT5%
DIFC AUM$500B
GCC GDP$3.6T
Periods and sources for every figure are in the reference table below. Data notes ↗
Key indicators
The Gulf at a glance.
Each card carries the source and period of its latest reading.
Sparklines are direction markers, not a time series.
Data
Dubai Growth Rate
+3.4%2024
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2024
Source: Dubai Statistics Centre
Explore in MarketsData
UAE Inward Investment
$27BFDI inflows, 2024
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2024
Source: UNCTAD
Explore in MarketsData
DIFC Capital Monitor
$500BUSD, 2024
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2024
Source: DIFC Authority
Explore in MarketsData
UAE Treaty Network
137+Treaties, 2025
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2025
Source: UAE MoF
Explore in MarketsData
UAE Resident Nationalities
190+Nationalities, 2024
Direction marker from the latest reading · 2024
Source: Dubai Statistics Centre
Explore in Markets12 indicators tracked · updated 8 Jun 2026 · corporate tax comparison below.
Comparison
Headline corporate tax across the Gulf.
GCC corporate tax rates
Standard headline rates held in the dataset. The UAE row is highlighted; free-zone qualifying income and small-business relief are covered in the guides.
Reference
Source directoryEvery indicator, with its source.
| Indicator | Value | Country | Period | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tax | ||||
| Qatar Corporate Tax | 10%▬ | Qatar | 2025 | Qatar MoF |
| Saudi Arabia Corporate Tax | 20%▬ | KSA | 2025 | ZATCA |
| Double Taxation Treaties | 137+▲ | UAE | 2025 | UAE MoF |
| UAE VAT Rate | 5%▬ | UAE | 2025 | UAE FTA |
| UAE Corporate Tax Rate | 9%▲ | UAE | 2025 | UAE FTA |
| UAE Personal Income Tax | 0%▬ | UAE | 2025 | UAE FTA |
| Economy | ||||
| UAE Nationalities Resident | 190+▲ | UAE | 2024 | Dubai Statistics Centre |
| DIFC Assets Under Management | $500B▲ | UAE | 2024 | DIFC Authority |
| UAE FDI Inflows | $27B▲ | UAE | 2024 | UNCTAD |
| Dubai GDP Growth | +3.4%▲ | UAE | 2024 | Dubai Statistics Centre |
| GCC Combined GDP | $3.6T▲ | GCC | 2024 | IMF |
| Trade | ||||
| UAE Free Zones Count | 45+▲ | UAE | 2025 | Ministry of Economy |
Scroll sideways on small screens. Units: percentages are headline rates; USD figures are nominal for the period shown.
Compare
Free-zone formation guideUAE free zones, side by side.
Filter by emirate and tier, sort by setup cost, and tick up to three zones to compare them.
ValueBudget entry and light industryGrowthStartups and scaling businessesMidEstablished trade and industryPremiumFinance and common-law jurisdictions
Showing 9 of 9 free zones
Tick up to three to compare
Value
RAKEZ
Budget SME, Light Manufacturing
Growth
IFZA
Startups, Consulting, E-commerce
Growth
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Technology, IT, Electronics
Mid
DMCC
Commodities, Gold, Crypto, Gems
Mid
Dubai Healthcare City
Medical, Pharma, Wellness
Mid
JAFZA
Logistics, Manufacturing, Trade
Mid
KIZAD
Heavy Industry, Manufacturing, Logistics
Premium
ADGM
Finance, Family Offices, Asset Management
Premium
DIFC
Finance, Fintech, Professional Services
Special report
Saudi Vision 2030.
A $3.2 trillion transformation reshaping the largest economy in the Gulf, and the clearest map yet for foreign firms entering the Kingdom.
$500B
NEOM build-out
Programme headline
13
Vision Realisation Programmes
Programme structure
IKTVA
Local-content framework
Aramco supplier programme
20%▬
Corporate tax rate
ZATCA · 2025
GCC snapshot
UAE, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Data
UAE
- Corporate tax
- 9%
- VAT
- 5%
- Foreign ownership
- 100%
- Headline residency
- Golden Visa (10 yr)
Data
Saudi Arabia
- Corporate tax
- 20%
- VAT
- 15%
- Foreign ownership
- 100%
- Headline residency
- Premium Residency
Data
Qatar
- Corporate tax
- 10%
- VAT
- None
- Foreign ownership
- 100%
- Headline residency
- Investor residency
Notes
How to read it
Corporate tax figures come from the market dataset (UAE FTA, Qatar MoF, ZATCA). VAT, ownership and residency lines reflect the current official positions and are verified against the source directory.
Data sources
Full source directoryWhat the numbers rest on.
- UAE Federal Tax Authority29 documents
- Dubai Land Department6 documents
- UAE Ministry of Finance5 documents
- Monitored data feeds12 feeds
Indicators and free-zone data are compiled from the current legal documents and data feeds listed in the directory; last updated 8 June 2026.