UAE’s Business Registrations Surge 235% in the Past Five Years
The number of businesses operating in the country reached more than 1.3 million by the end of the first half of 2025, up from roughly 400,000 in 2020.
The United Arab Emirates has recorded a steep rise in business activity, with official Ministry of Economy data showing a 235% increase in registered companies over the past five years. The figures reveal that the number of businesses operating in the country reached more than 1.3 million by the end of the first half of 2025, up from roughly 400,000 in 2020.
The growth follows a series of major legal overhauls enacted in recent years, including amendments that allow 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies and updates to more than 80% of the UAE’s economic legislation. These reforms are part of a broader strategy to position the UAE as a knowledge-driven, innovation-focused economy.
Activity in intellectual property has expanded alongside business registrations. Figures show that 402,311 local and international trademarks were registered in the UAE as of September 2025, signalling growing interest from both regional and global companies.
