Dubai’s real estate sector continues to fortify its role as one of the fundamental pillars of the emirate’s economic expansion, showcasing consistent performance and results that highlight the market’s resilience and the diversity of investment opportunities available. According to data from the Dubai Land Department (DLD), the first half of 2025 witnessed the completion of 24 real estate projects valued at AED4.5 billion.
This momentum is part of a broader growth trajectory, with 726 projects presently under construction throughout the emirate, emphasizing sustained demand from both developers and investors. The surge in ongoing development also signifies the accelerated pace of project delivery to meet the increasing demand for standalone units and integrated residential communities.
90,337 new units registered in six months
Dubai’s real estate market recorded 90,337 new real estate units during the first half of the year, serving as a clear indicator of the sector’s ongoing growth. This also reflects developers’ responsiveness to market needs, particularly in light of rising demand for ready-to-move and sustainable projects that provide comprehensive living spaces.
In H1 2025, 75,347 real estate units were sold, valued at AED151 billion, underscoring the sustained momentum in residential property transactions, bolstered by investors’ confidence in the market’s long-term prospects. Consistent with this trend, villa sales exhibited strong performance, with 7,167 villas sold for over AED28 billion, reflecting a deliberate shift in buyer preferences toward standalone units and fully integrated residential communities.
In the rental market, 465,738 lease contracts were registered during H1 2025, a slight increase from 462,657 in the same timeframe of 2024, representing a rise of under 1 percent. This indicates a stable and steady sector, supported by government initiatives and programs aimed at encouraging residents to transition from renting to homeownership and enhancing family and social stability within the emirate.
AED42 billion in lease contracts
The total value of lease contracts reached approximately AED42 billion in H1 2025, reflecting a 5 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. New lease contracts experienced a 7 percent rise, reaching 232,928, up from 217,101 in the same timeframe last year. The figures reaffirm Dubai’s leading position in both the regional and global real estate sectors and underscore the effectiveness of the Dubai Land Department’s regulatory policies and frameworks designed to stimulate investment, enhance transparency, and empower all segments of society to own property within a stable and appealing environment.
Through its strategic initiatives and advanced digital efforts, DLD continues to cultivate an integrated real estate ecosystem that aligns with the aspirations of both individuals and investors. These efforts support the goals of the Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033, aiming to position the emirate as the world’s premier city for quality of life and real estate investment.
Recent figures
Recent reports from the Dubai Statistics Center (DSC) and market analysis from property consulting firms such as CBRE and JLL further underscore the emirate’s robust real estate performance. According to the DSC, Dubai’s real estate market contributed approximately 7% to the emirate’s GDP in early 2025, reflecting its strategic importance in the broader economic landscape. Meanwhile, the latest CBRE Dubai Market Review (2025) highlights a steady increase in demand for premium residential and mixed-use developments, fueled by strong expatriate inflows and government economic diversification efforts.
Data from JLL’s Middle East Property Outlook 2025 adds that luxury villa prices in Dubai have appreciated by an average of 6% year-over-year, driven by high-net-worth individual interest and expanding tourism-related property investments. Furthermore, the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Market Report H1 2025 details an increase in green building certifications for new developments, aligning with Dubai’s sustainability goals and enhancing property desirability.
