Google has released its latest Economic Impact Report for the UAE, revealing that the tech giant contributed an estimated AED 21.8 billion to the country’s economy in 2024. Conducted by independent consultancy Public First, the report details how Google’s AI-powered platforms—including Search, Play, Maps, YouTube, and Google Ads—are driving business growth, personal productivity, and broader community development across the UAE.
According to the findings, Google Search and Ads alone supported AED 20.2 billion in business-related economic activity. The report outlines how Google’s products and services are embedded in daily routines, with 50% of adults considering Search essential and 90% saying mobile payment tools like GPay or GWallet make their lives easier. Maps and Waze were deemed “very useful” by 89% of users for navigation, underscoring their relevance in daily logistics and travel planning.
On the AI front, the uptake of Gemini—Google’s AI assistant—has been notable, with 63% of UAE adults having used it. Of those, 90% reported increased productivity, and 71% found Gemini easier to use in Arabic compared to other AI chatbots.
In the business sector, the report finds that 91% of UAE companies have integrated at least one AI tool into their workflows. Google platforms also influence consumer behavior, with 94% of users turning to Search for price comparisons and 86% consulting Google reviews before visiting a business. Google Maps and Waze are used by 80% of adults monthly to find local services.
The impact extends to employment and community empowerment. Google’s skilling initiative “Maharat Min Google” has trained over 430,000 individuals in digital and AI skills since 2018. In 2024 alone, the Android and Google Play ecosystem contributed to the creation of 30,000 jobs in the UAE. The report also estimates AED 455 million in revenue was generated by UAE-based developers through the Android app economy.
For creators and journalists, the YouTube ecosystem remains a growing channel, with over 600 UAE-based channels crossing the 1 million subscriber mark—a 15% increase year-on-year. Meanwhile, Google News Initiative has trained more than 20,000 journalists and journalism students in the MENA region, including the UAE.
Anthony Nakache, Managing Director for Google in the Middle East & North Africa, commented, “The report reflects our investment in accelerating the UAE’s journey toward a diversified, AI-powered economy. We’re proud to bring value to individuals, businesses, and communities through local partnerships and powerful digital tools.”
The survey underpinning the report involved 1,110 online adults and 389 business leaders in the UAE, conducted in both English and Arabic in March 2025. The responses were adjusted to reflect national representation using standard demographic weighting techniques.
The full report can be found here.
