Dubai’s property market continues its unprecedented growth, reinforcing the city’s reputation as one of the world’s most attractive investment destinations. According to the latest data covering the first nine months of 2025, 158,200 real estate transactions were registered in the emirate, with a total value of AED 498.8 billion (approx. USD 136 billion). This represents a 20.5% increase in volume and a 32.3% increase in value compared to the same period in 2024.
In the third quarter alone, transaction value reached AED 170.7 billion, marking a new quarterly record for Dubai. The number of sales rose by 17.2%, while their total value climbed nearly 20% year-on-year.
Experts attribute this surge to the UAE’s stable economy, open investment policy, and strong demand for housing from expatriates and high-net-worth buyers from Europe and Asia.
Apartments, Villas, and Commercial Real Estate: What’s Driving the Market
As in previous years, apartments drew the most investor attention, accounting for 49,370 sales worth AED 94.3 billion — a 25.9% increase from 2024. Studios and one-bedroom apartments remain especially popular among young professionals and first-time investors entering the UAE property market.
Land sales rose to AED 36.1 billion (+25.7%), while commercial real estate transactions jumped by 41.9% to AED 4.2 billion, marking a record high.
The villa and townhouse segment continues to appeal to family buyers. Although the number of villa sales fell by 23.3% to 7,078 transactions, their total value reached AED 43.1 billion, driven by a rise in the average price per square foot to AED 1,685 (+11.4%).
Market Evolution: From Post-Pandemic Rebound to Sustainable Growth
Dubai’s real estate growth trajectory is remarkable. In Q3 2020, transaction volume totaled only AED 17.9 billion; it then rose to AED 42.5 billion in 2021, AED 69.1 billion in 2022, AED 109.4 billion in 2023, and AED 142.3 billion in 2024. The trend not only continued in 2025 but accelerated, demonstrating the sector’s sustained expansion.
This boom is driven not only by capital inflows but also by active development of new residential communities, including Dubai Creek Harbour, Palm Jebel Ali, The Oasis, and Dubai Hills Estate. Developers are offering flexible payment plans and premium amenities, making Dubai real estate even more appealing to global investors.
Luxury Segment: Strong Demand for High-End Properties
High-value transactions remain a major market driver. The most expensive sale of Q3 2025 was a villa in Jumeirah Second priced at AED 250 million, followed by a penthouse in Aman Residences Tower 1 sold for AED 174 million.
Every tenth sale in Dubai this year involved a property worth over AED 5 million, while the largest share of deals (around 38%) fell within the AED 1–2 million range.
Interestingly, around 73% of all transactions were off-plan purchases — a sign of strong buyer confidence in developers and expectations of further price growth upon project completion.
Outlook for 2026: Dubai as a Global Property Investment Hub
Analysts predict that Dubai’s real estate market will continue expanding in 2026, supported by a robust economy, low taxes, steady inflow of expatriates, and new mega-developments under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.
Rising global interest in the UAE as a safe haven for capital and the growing popularity of Golden Visas further strengthen Dubai’s position as one of the most resilient real estate markets in the world.
Experts forecast that the total value of transactions in 2025 will exceed AED 600 billion for the first time, solidifying Dubai’s place among the top five global real estate centers, alongside London, New York, and Hong Kong.