UAE Non-Oil Growth Slows to Five-Year Low

2026-07-03 04:23 By Mariene Camarillo 1 min. read

The S&P Global UAE PMI fell to 50.8 in June 2026 from 52.6 in the previous month, signaling the weakest improvement in non-oil private sector business conditions since February 2021.

Business activity expanded at its slowest pace in five years as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, cautious client spending, and intense competition weighed on growth.

New business growth accelerated to a three-month high but remained well below its historical average as customers delayed spending decisions and tourism activity stayed subdued.

Employment declined for the first time in more than four years, posting its sharpest contraction since August 2020.

Meanwhile, purchasing activity rebounded after May's decline as businesses restocked inventories.

However, input cost inflation remained elevated, driven by higher transport fees and commodity prices.

Despite softer current activity, business confidence stayed broadly stable, supported by confirmed contracts and continued government investment.



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UAE Non-Oil Growth Slows to Five-Year Low
The S&P Global UAE PMI fell to 50.8 in June 2026 from 52.6 in the previous month, signaling the weakest improvement in non-oil private sector business conditions since February 2021. Business activity expanded at its slowest pace in five years as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, cautious client spending, and intense competition weighed on growth. New business growth accelerated to a three-month high but remained well below its historical average as customers delayed spending decisions and tourism activity stayed subdued. Employment declined for the first time in more than four years, posting its sharpest contraction since August 2020. Meanwhile, purchasing activity rebounded after May's decline as businesses restocked inventories. However, input cost inflation remained elevated, driven by higher transport fees and commodity prices. Despite softer current activity, business confidence stayed broadly stable, supported by confirmed contracts and continued government investment.
2026-07-03
UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Improves Slightly
The S&P Global UAE PMI rose to 52.6 in May 2026 from 52.1 in the previous month, signaling a modest improvement in non-oil private sector business conditions. Output growth accelerated to a three-month high, supported by stronger demand, project expansion, and government-backed initiatives. However, growth remained subdued overall as regional geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, and rising operating costs weighed on activity. New business growth remained near April's 62-month low, while export sales continued to decline. Meanwhile, employment growth slowed to its weakest pace since October amid softer demand, higher costs, and increased automation. Supply-chain conditions deteriorated, with delivery times lengthening to the greatest extent since April 2020 due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, while input costs rose at the second-fastest pace in nearly two years, driven by higher material and transport costs.
2026-06-03
UAE Non-Oil Private Sector Growth Softens in April
The S&P Global UAE PMI fell to 52.1 in April 2026 from 52.9 in March, marking the weakest improvement in operating conditions since February 2021, as non-oil private sector momentum continued to ease. New orders slowed to a more than five-year low amid weaker client spending and softer tourism. Export orders fell sharply, recording one of the steepest declines on record outside the pandemic period due to Middle East shipping disruptions and Strait of Hormuz constraints. Despite softer demand, output still expanded solidly on ongoing project and infrastructure work. However, cost pressures intensified, with input price inflation accelerating to its strongest level since mid-2024 on higher oil and transport costs. Firms responded by sharply lifting selling prices, with output charges increasing at the fastest pace since 2011 as companies sought to protect margins amid rising costs and supply disruptions. Employment growth also softened as hiring slowed, while salary inflation eased.
2026-05-05