Abu Dhabi: The UAE’s non-oil private sector economy maintained stable momentum in April 2025, according to new PMI data that reflects a measured but confident business environment. The country’s S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) held firm at 54.0, signalling expansion in overall market activity and business sentiment.
The strongest development in April came from hiring. Employment levels grew at the fastest pace in nearly 12 months as companies boosted headcount to handle rising workloads. This rebound in job creation suggests that businesses are regaining confidence after a period of slower hiring in the final months of 2024.
New orders surged, driven by robust demand from both domestic and international markets, with external demand seeing its biggest jump in five months. However, output growth softened slightly, affected by delays in client payments and moderate project backlogs.
Input purchases rose in line with rising demand, though more slowly than March. Businesses noted a substantial improvement in supplier delivery times—the fastest since August last year—indicating supply chains are becoming more agile.
While input prices rose in April, including wages and material costs, firms kept output prices relatively steady to stay competitive in a price-sensitive market. Despite cost pressures, business optimism improved, reaching the highest level seen in 2025 so far.
Dubai, in contrast, saw a mild slowdown, with its PMI dipping to 52.9 from March’s 53.2, reflecting weaker new business gains and more cautious future sentiment. Still, national trends remain firmly positive, reinforcing the UAE’s strategic shift towards a resilient and diversified economy.
