Dubai property market opens 2026 strong after record Dh682bn sales year
Landmark year driven by population growth and demand
DUBAI – Dubai’s real estate market has entered 2026 with renewed momentum, extending a record-breaking run that defined the sector throughout 2025.
On the first working day of the New Year alone, property transactions worth Dh771.12 million ($210 million) were recorded, underlining sustained investor confidence following the emirate’s strongest annual performance on record. The early activity reflects broad-based demand across residential, commercial and land segments, setting the tone for another active year.
The strong opening follows a landmark 2025, during which Dubai registered its highest-ever real estate sales value. According to data from the Dubai Land Department, total property sales reached Dh682.49 billion ($185.8 billion), representing an increase of more than 30 percent compared with Dh522.36 billion in 2024. The year also marked the fifth consecutive annual record for the sector, reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most active real estate markets.
Strong opening
Official figures show that 204 transactions were completed on the first working day of 2026, including 140 residential units, 40 buildings and 24 land plots. Activity spanned multiple price points and locations, signalling continued depth in market demand rather than reliance on a single segment.
High-value transactions featured prominently, led by a luxury apartment on Palm Jumeirah that sold for Dh33.5 million. This was followed by a hotel apartment at Address Fountain Views, Tower 2, near Burj Khalifa, which achieved Dh14.4 million, while another apartment in Burj Khalifa changed hands for Dh10.3 million. The spread of transactions across prime waterfront, downtown and mixed-use developments highlighted ongoing interest from both domestic and international buyers.
Record 2025
The robust start to 2026 builds directly on the momentum generated last year. In addition to the headline sales figure of Dh682 billion, total real estate transactions in 2025 reached 214,912, reflecting strong activity across residential, commercial and land markets. The final quarter of the year was particularly active, with sales in the fourth quarter alone climbing to a record Dh187.47 billion, up 26.86 percent year on year.
Apartments continued to account for the bulk of transactions, with areas such as Jumeirah Village Circle, Business Bay and Dubai Marina absorbing significant demand. One-bedroom units dominated both off-plan and secondary market activity, aligning with the preferences of new residents and working professionals. Villas also maintained strong appeal among end-users, with four-bedroom layouts leading transactions in established and emerging family-oriented communities.
Population growth
Underlying the sustained performance has been continued population growth, which has reinforced long-term housing demand. Dubai’s population surpassed 4.03 million in 2025, with more than 208,000 new residents relocating to the emirate during the year for employment, lifestyle and long-term settlement. Since 2014, over 1.35 million people have moved to Dubai, providing a durable demand base for residential property.
Demographic trends showed that buyers aged between 31 and 45 accounted for the majority of purchases, with the 36 to 40 age group leading activity. The pattern reflects growing end-user participation driven by career stability and long-term residency plans, rather than short-term speculative investment.
Looking ahead, supply is expected to remain disciplined, with nearly 100,000 units forecast for handover in 2026. Upcoming completions are concentrated in major master-planned developments including Dubai Creek Harbour, Dubai Hills Estate, Damac Lagoons, Arabian Ranches 3, Arjan and Business Bay, supporting the market’s transition into another year of high activity as 2026 gets underway.