United Arab Emirates: housing

How much property is sold in Dubai?

Dubai's real estate transactions were worth AED 252 billion in the first quarter of 2026, 31% more than a year earlier, according to the Dubai Land Department. There were 60,303 real estate transactions, up 6%.

The total covers all registered real estate transactions, including sales, mortgages and gifts, not only home sales. Investments, a narrower measure, numbered 57,744 and were worth AED 173 billion. The figures come from the department's registration data and describe value, not prices, so they do not show whether prices per square metre rose or fell. Later quarters appear in the department's news releases.

Official sources: Dubai Land Department: Q1 2026 transactions

How many rental contracts are there in Dubai?

Dubai registered 1.38 million tenancy contracts worth AED 126.4 billion in 2025, up 6% in number and 17% in value on 2024, according to the Dubai Land Department. New contracts rose 10% to more than 513,000, and renewals rose 3% to more than 514,000.

All residential and commercial leases in Dubai must be registered through the Ejari system, which is the source of these figures. A rise in total contract value reflects both higher rents and more contracts; it is not a rent index. Allowed rent increases on renewal are set by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency's rental index.

Official sources: Dubai Land Department: rental sector in 2025 · Real Estate Regulatory Agency

How many property projects are being built in Dubai?

Dubai had 937 real estate projects under construction in 2025, 25% more than a year earlier, and 124 projects worth AED 27.5 billion were completed, according to the Dubai Land Department. Sold units rose 25% to 147,500, with a total value of AED 280 billion.

The department counts projects registered with it, which can range from single buildings to large communities, so the number of projects does not convert directly into homes. Completion figures show supply reaching the market; units sold include off-plan homes not yet built. Abu Dhabi publishes building completions separately through SCAD.

Official sources: Dubai Land Department: 2025 market data

How much do foreigners invest in Dubai property?

Foreign investment in Dubai real estate was worth AED 148.35 billion in the first quarter of 2026, up 26% on a year earlier, across 48,445 investments, according to the Dubai Land Department. The department counted 48,448 investors in the quarter, of whom 29,312 were new.

Foreign nationals can buy freehold property in designated areas of Dubai. GCC nationals invested AED 12.23 billion and Arab nationals AED 12.11 billion in the quarter. The department's homepage notes that owning property worth AED 2 million or more can qualify an investor for a long-term residence visa.

Official sources: Dubai Land Department: Q1 2026 transactions · Dubai Land Department

What is the United Arab Emirates' urbanisation rate?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people living in urban areas in the United Arab Emirates was 86.0% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 78.4%; the United Arab Emirates is 9th highest of 22. Worldwide: 29th of 193.

What share of the United Arab Emirates' city dwellers live in slums?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in the United Arab Emirates was 0.1%, according to UN-Habitat. Its high point since 2006 was 2006, at 0.9%; its low point was 2018, at 0.1%. It is 15th highest of 19 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 10.9%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 144th highest.

What share of people in the United Arab Emirates have electricity?

100.0%: that is the share of people with access to electricity in the United Arab Emirates for 2024, according to the World Bank. It has not changed since 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 100.0%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 1st highest of 22. Worldwide: 1st of 193.

How many people in the United Arab Emirates have clean water?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in the United Arab Emirates at 98.6% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan the middle value was 89.0%, and the United Arab Emirates placed 5th highest of 17. Worldwide: 30th of 134.

What share of people in the United Arab Emirates have safe sanitation?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in the United Arab Emirates at 98.4% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 4th highest of 17 in Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, where the median is 79.8%. Worldwide: 12th of 134.

What is access to clean cooking in the United Arab Emirates?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 99.0%. The figure has been the same every year since 2005. Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan median: 99.5%; the United Arab Emirates is 12th highest of 22. Worldwide: 45th of 192.