UAE Insurance Sector Premiums Rise 15% as Central Bank Reports Strong Capital

The UAE's insurance sector continued to expand at the start of 2026, according to the Central Bank of the UAE's latest Quarterly Economic Review. Gross written premiums rose about 15.1% year-on-year in the first quarter, while the number of insurance policies increased around 9.5%, pointing to broadening demand across the market. Technical provisions and total equity also grew, and the sector remained well capitalised: the ratio of own funds to the minimum capital requirement climbed to roughly 516% from about 393% a year earlier, reflecting a strong buffer relative to regulatory minimums. The review set the insurance data against a resilient wider economy, with the central bank pointing to robust non-hydrocarbon growth and contained inflation, projected to remain moderate over the medium term. Capital markets also posted gains, and banking asset quality held up, with a low level of non-performing loans. The figures underline the UAE's ambition to develop a deep, stable financial sector as part of its broader economic diversification, though the central bank flagged that regional geopolitical developments and their potential impact on energy and trade remain key risks to monitor.