Image: Getty Images
Google contributed Dhs21.8bn to the UAE economy in 2024, according to a new report by UK-based research consultancy, Public First.
The findings reflect the growing role of Google’s products — powered by artificial intelligence — in supporting digital transformation, business growth, and individual productivity across the country.
The Google Economic Impact Report, launched today, outlines the contribution of tools such as Google Search, Ads, Play, Maps, YouTube, and the Gemini AI assistant to people, businesses, and communities in the UAE.
According to the report, Google’s Search and Ads products alone were responsible for Dhs20.2bn in economic activity in 2024, helping thousands of local businesses reach customers and grow their operations.
“We’re incredibly proud to be a partner in the UAE’s boundless ambitions,” said Anthony Nakache, MD for Google in the Middle East and North Africa.
“The report reflects our investment in accelerating the country’s ambitious journey towards a diversified, AI-powered economy. Through strategic investments, local partnerships, and our AI-powered tools, we’re bringing substantial economic value and empowering individuals, businesses, and communities in the UAE,” he added.
Training and skills development
The report notes that more than 430,000 people in the UAE have received training in digital and AI skills since 2018 through Google’s Maharat Min Google initiative. These efforts support the UAE’s broader vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy.
The Android and Google Play ecosystem also contributed significantly to the UAE’s digital economy in 2024, supporting around 30,000 jobs and generating Dhs455m in revenue for local developers.
Impact on daily life and consumer productivity
Public First estimates that Google services deliver an average monthly consumer benefit of Dhs683 per user.
In the UAE, 63 per cent of adults said they had used Gemini, Google’s AI assistant, and 90 per cent of those users agreed it improved their productivity. Additionally, 71 per cent said Gemini was easier to use in Arabic than other AI chatbots.
Other widely adopted tools include Google Maps and Waze, with 89 per cent of adults saying they found them useful for navigation. Meanwhile, 90 per cent of users noted that mobile payment platforms such as GPay and GWallet improved everyday convenience.
Half of all adults surveyed said that Google Search was essential to their daily routines.
Business productivity and AI adoption
AI usage among UAE businesses is on the rise, with 91 per cent of companies reporting that they use at least one AI tool in their workflows.
Nearly all public sector respondents (97 per cent) agreed that Google’s AI-powered tools helped them be more productive.
Consumer behaviour also reflected strong digital engagement:
-
94 per cent use Google Search monthly to compare prices
-
86 per cent consult Google reviews before visiting businesses
-
80 per cent use Google Maps or Waze to locate local venues
-
73 per cent of 18–24-year-olds browse or shop online via Search weekly
Creative and developer ecosystem
The UAE’s creative economy is also benefitting from Google’s platforms. More than 600 UAE-based YouTube channels now have over one million subscribers — a 15 per cent increase year-on-year.
In addition, more than 20,000 journalists and journalism students across the MENA region, including the UAE, have been trained by the Google News Initiative.
Methodology
The report is based on surveys conducted in March 2025 with 1,110 UAE-based online adults and 389 business leaders, carried out in English and Arabic.
Results were weighted to ensure national representation.
