96 thousand new companies in the Emirates in the first half.. and the total is 896 thousand

The total number of companies (active licenses) in the United Arab Emirates increased during the first half of the current year 2024 by 12%, representing an increase of 96 thousand, to reach 896 thousand companies, compared to the end of last year 2023, when it reached about 800 thousand companies.

According to data from the Ministry of Economy’s National Economic Registry, limited liability companies jumped 7.6%, representing an increase of 19,100 new licenses, to reach 269,100 companies/licenses (accounting for 30% of the total), compared to 250,000 at the end of 2023.

The number of sole proprietorships, which ranked second in terms of the number of registered companies, according to legal form, increased by 3%, representing an increase of 7,060 new companies, to reach 234,060 active licenses (26% of the total), compared to 227,000.

One-person companies increased by 21,326 licenses, representing a growth of 21%, to reach 120,326 companies (13.5% of the total), compared to 99,000.

Local company branches also increased by 67%, with 4,300 new licenses, to reach 10,733 companies (1.2% of the total), compared to 6,435 companies.

Branches of companies from another emirate increased by 1,036 licenses, representing a growth of 14.7%, to 8,091 companies (1% of the total), compared to 7,055 companies.

The number of private joint-stock companies increased by 14%, representing an increase of 653 new licenses, to reach 5,268 companies (0.6% of the total), compared to 4,615 companies.

The number of free zone establishments reached 3,455 companies, and the number of local establishments’ branches reached 2,318 licenses.

The number of professional business companies increased by 18, representing an increase of 286 new licenses, to reach 1,886 companies, compared to 1,600 companies, and the number of branches of foreign companies reached 1,667 licenses, compared to 1,570 companies, a growth of 6%.

The number of public joint stock company licenses increased by 4 new companies to 670 companies, compared to 666 companies.