Dubai:The UAE space economy saw a substantial 27.1% increase in total spending, reaching AED 5.52 billion, as reported in the latest Space Economic Survey by the UAE Space Agency in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC). Highlighting the 2025 survey results, which measure 2024 activities, the report emphasizes the impact of commercial investment and a burgeoning workforce in shaping a competitive, knowledge-based economy.
According to Emirates News Agency, the survey was announced at the Space Economic Survey Workshop in Dubai, revealing that commercial investments represented 48% of the total space economy spending, amounting to AED 2.64 billion. This data underscores the sector's expanding economic significance and serves as a basis for formulating policies that encourage investment, enterprise, and talent development.
Dr. Ahmad Belhoul Al Falasi, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the UAE Space Agency, stated that the survey results illustrate the increasing economic value of the UAE's space sector, with a growth in value added surpassing spending by more than two to one. This progress is attributed to heightened commercial activities, ongoing government investments, and an increasing pool of national talent, including Emirati women.
The survey further recorded 1,495 Emiratis employed in the space sector, marking a 27.9% rise compared to previous figures. The number of young individuals aged 15 to 35 in the sector has grown by 29.5%, totaling 1,333, while women now make up 33.5% of the workforce, with female employment in the sector increasing by 83.9%.
Conducted annually, the Space Economic Survey serves as the national benchmark for evaluating the size, performance, and economic contributions of the UAE space sector. It encompasses a wide range of entities, from core space companies to organizations utilizing space-derived data, capturing economic activities across the broader ecosystem.
Findings from the survey support the implementation of the National Space Strategy 2031, which aims to position the UAE among the world's top 10 space economies. The strategy includes ambitious targets such as increasing economic value added by 60%, doubling space economy revenues, and expanding investment in sector assets and infrastructure.
The survey's findings are instrumental in guiding policy and investment decisions, supporting efforts to attract international companies, and are presented to the Supreme Space Council to help define strategic priorities. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, emphasized the importance of reliable economic data in understanding the sector's evolution and potential opportunities.
The workshop also marked the start of the 2026 Space Economic Survey, aimed at assessing the sector's performance in 2025, with data collection beginning post-workshop and results anticipated by October 2027.