Dubai real estate recorded AED 30.2B in January 2026 transactions, up 28% YoY. Off-plan purchases accounted for 62% of 12,480 deals. Luxury segment (AED 10M+) grew 45%. Dubai Marina, Downtown, and JVC led in transaction volume.
Dubai's real estate market has started 2026 with unprecedented momentum, recording AED 30.2 billion in property transactions during January alone — a 28% increase compared to January 2025.
Dubai continues to attract high-net-worth individuals from Europe, Russia, India, and China. The city's safety, tax advantages, and lifestyle offerings remain key pull factors.
Developers launched over 15,000 new units in January, with popular projects in Dubai Creek Harbour, Emaar Beachfront, and Sobha Hartland 2 selling out within days.
The ultra-luxury market (AED 10M+) saw a 45% increase in transactions. Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, and Jumeirah Bay Island led this segment.
| Area | Transactions | Avg. Price/sqft |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai Marina | 1,240 | AED 1,850 |
| Downtown Dubai | 980 | AED 2,400 |
| JVC | 1,650 | AED 950 |
| Business Bay | 1,120 | AED 1,600 |
| Dubai Hills Estate | 890 | AED 1,750 |
Industry analysts expect the momentum to continue through 2026, driven by Dubai's population growth target of 5.8 million by 2040, continued infrastructure investment, and the upcoming Expo City Phase 2 development.
"Dubai's real estate market is not just recovering — it's maturing into one of the world's most dynamic and transparent property markets." — Dubai Land Department
For investors, the current market offers strong rental yields (5–8% average) compared to global cities like London (2.5%) and Hong Kong (2.1%). However, buyers should be mindful of potential cooling measures if price growth continues at this pace.
Know something newsworthy about Dubai? Let us know!
Dubai's RTA has officially announced the Blue Line, a new metro route connecting Dubai International Airport to key residential areas. Here's the complete guide.
