December fuel prices rise slightly across the UAE / AI Generated Image

UAE motorists should prepare for a slight increase at the pump as the nation’s Fuel Price Committee announced an upward adjustment across all categories for December 2025. The new rates, which track global oil market movements, are officially in effect starting December 1, 2025. This increase reverses the marginal price dip enjoyed by consumers during November.

UAE petrol and diesel rates for December 2025

Here are the new rates per litre, effective December 1, 2025, compared to November’s costs:

A look back

The December price hike marks a return to higher figures following a welcome period of relief. In November, prices for all petrol and diesel grades had slightly declined from the higher figures seen in October, which saw Super 98 reach Dhs2.77.Throughout 2025, the highest pump prices were recorded in February (Super 98 hit Dhs2.74), while the lowest rates were enjoyed in April (Super 98 at Dhs2.57), highlighting the constant fluctuation driven by global market factors. The December rate of Dhs2.70 per litre for Super 98 places it back on par with prices seen in July and September.

Why the price fluctuation?

The monthly price change is a direct outcome of the UAE’s decision, enacted in August 2015, to liberalize fuel prices. Prior to this, fuel prices were heavily subsidized by the government, insulating consumers from the cost of global volatility.Now, the Fuel Price Committee rigorously tracks the average price of global crude oil and adjusts retail rates accordingly. This mechanism ensures that local prices reflect international market trends, including shifts in supply, demand, and geopolitical events that influence crude oil costs. Therefore, any move, whether up or down, is a direct signal of the previous month’s activity in the international oil sector.