Virtual reality (“VR”) and augmented reality (“AR”) could deliver a $4.1billion boost to the UAE economy by 2030

Dubai, UAE, 12 January 2020: VR and AR are forecast to contribute $4.1 billion to the UAE economy, a 1% boost to GDP by 2030 according to a new report launched today by PwC Middle East. The majority of the contribution to the UAE economy will come from AR ($2.8 billion) with VR providing $1.3 billion. VR and AR will also have a significant impact on employment in the country, with PwC estimating that 0.6% of jobs (upward of 40,000 people) will be enhanced by 2030.

Ali Al Hosseini, Chief Digital Officer at PwC Middle East says: “The Middle East is at a crossroads today as it undergoes a once-in-a-lifetime transformation. Choosing the path of early technology adoption will have tremendous implications for business, society and the region’s economy as a whole. No place exemplifies this drive for innovation and openness to change better than the UAE. As AR and VR technology finally comes of age, we expect both to help boost the UAE’s economy in a significant way -- the technologies  will improve how organisations in the country operate, make for a seamless transition to more effective processes, and most important of all -- educate people more effectively and generate incredible user experiences.” 

Richard Boxshall, Senior Economist at PwC Middle East says: “AR and VR are transforming the world we live in and we have only seen a fraction of what is possible. In the UAE alone, these technologies could contribute over $4 billion to the local economy by 2030, equivalent to 1% of GDP.  These revolutionary technologies can deliver experiences unlike any other and will make businesses thrive with the right adoption.”

VR and AR to add $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030

Globally, AR and VR are expected to contribute $1.5 trillion to the global economy by 2030 according to PwC research. This would provide a significant increase on the current contribution to global GDP of $46.4 billion. Out of the two technologies, AR will continue to provide the biggest benefits to global GDP through to 2030, accounting for $1 trillion of the $1.5 trillion overall.

The European economies of Finland ($7.8 billion), Germany ($103.6 billion) and the UK ($69.3 billion) that are forecast to see the biggest increases in percentage terms of GDP by 2030 with contributions of 2.64%, 2.46%, and 2.44% respectively. The UAE alone ($4.1 billion) will see a 0.95% increase.

Significant impact on the workplace expected

Globally, the impact of VR and AR on employment over the next decade will also be significant. Currently, fewer than a million jobs are impacted by VR and AR and this will rise to 23 million jobs by 2030, with the  biggest impact felt first in large economies like China, the US, the UK and Germany. 

VR and AR to benefit a wide range of industries

• The healthcare sector will provide a boost of $350.9 billion to global GDP by 2030 through utilising the new technologies. Last year, the UAE's Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced plans to introduce VR rehabilitation in physiotherapy for stroke patients, patients suffering from balance disorder and children with development disorders, cerebral palsy and Parkinson's syndrome.
• VR and AR are opening up new ways to improve the efficiency, productivity and accuracy of employees and processes, and will provide a $275.0 billion boost to global GDP by 2030. Engineers and technicians can be fed information such as repair diagrams in real-time using an AR interface, enabling them to quickly identify problems and conduct repairs and maintenance. In the logistics sector, smart glasses can display picking information for the worker, highlighting location and displaying product details and packing instructions.
• The use of VR and AR in development and training will provide a $294.2 billion boost to global GDP by 2030. One way in which this will be possible is that it will provide a way to train employees where it is not always practical, or safe, to do so in the real world. It will also save businesses time and money by recreating physical environments and scenarios digitally which can then be accessed simultaneously anywhere in the world and on different scales.
• The use of VR and AR in the retail and consumer sector will provide a $204 billion boost to global GDP by 2030. Adhering to its status as the ‘city of the future’, there are already a few examples of VR and AR applications in the UAE. We are already seeing the implementation of VR and AR in the UAE, with entities such as DEWA and Dubai Customs integrating these technologies to transform their customer and employee experiences.
• Product and service development will provide a $359.4 billion boost to global GDP by 2030 through VR and AR.  The application of VR and AR technologies is revolutionising the design and manufacturing process - increasing efficiency and productivity, and improving the quality of products. For example, an official announcement was made by the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) MD & CEO, HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, stating that DEWA now uses smart helmets and goggles so that engineers and technicians remain in quick contact with one another to conduct repairs