Destination Dubai 2025: Dubai Real Estate Market Outlook for Global Investors

In our flagship annual publication, Destination Dubai 2025, we surveyed 387 global HNWI respondents across the UK, India, Saudi Arabia and East Asia (China, Hong Kong, Singapore) to understand their attitudes, appetites, and aspirations towards investing in property in Dubai.

We selected nationals from these nations and territories to reflect Dubai’s historic source markets for real estate purchasers and our own experience of the market.

Our survey sample this year has an average net worth of US$ 22 million, excluding the value of their main home or primary residence, and a combined net worth of US$ 8.3bn.

We invite you to explore the full analysis in Destination Dubai 2025.

Introduction
Expert Insights
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Introduction

Expert Insights

Listen to our experts as they discuss the key insights from Destination Dubai 2025, focusing on Dubai’s sustained economic buoyancy, global investor appetite, and real estate demand across sectors.

Shehzad Jamal, Partner - Strategy & Consultancy, MEA, discusses the long-term drivers of housing demand in Dubai, led by a projected population increase of nearly 2.4 million by 2040. He highlights the city’s record-breaking 169,000 property transactions in 2024, worth AED 367 billion, with global HNWI are settling in Dubai, drawn by safety, infrastructure, and a global lead in branded residences.

Stephen Flanagan, Regional Partner - Head of Valuation and Advisory, MENA, discusses Dubai’s real estate yield performance. He highlights that industrial and logistics yields have seen 33% rental growth on average across the sector in the last 12 months. Investors are paying yields of around 7.5–8% for onshore and offshore areas on leasehold properties. Residential yields remain stable, with apartments at 5–7%, villas and townhouses at 4.5–6%.

Faisal Durrani, Partner and Head of Research MENA, sheds light on one of the key defining features of the current market cycle which is the rise in genuine end users and buyers seeking to purchase for personal use. According to our Destination Dubai 2025 report, 83% of global HNWIs surveyed expressed interest in purchasing land in Dubai to build their own homes.

Adam Wynne MRICS, Partner and Head of Commercial Agency, explains how the country’s economic stability is driving sustained demand across commercial real estate. As the world’s 27th largest economy, the UAE’s strength is evident in the strong performance of the industrial and logistics, office and retail sectors. Demand continues to outpace supply, with international and regional businesses increasingly relocating to the region.

Will McKintosh, Regional Partner and Head of Residential, MENA, shares insights from Destination Dubai 2025 report, exploring the growing global interest in Dubai’s prime residential market. He highlights particularly strong demand from Saudi and Indian HNWIs surveyed, with 96% and 86% respectively expressing a desire to invest in the city. This reflects Dubai’s continued appeal as a global lifestyle and investment hub, underpinned by its economic stability, high quality of life and safe environment.

Wesley Thomson, Partner and Head of ESG, MENA, highlights findings from the Destination Dubai 2025 report, shedding light on increased demand for LEED-certified buildings across Dubai.

Abdulaziz Zabalawi, Associate Partner - Real Estate Strategy & Consulting, MENA, shares insights from the Destination Dubai 2025 report, highlighting Ras Al Khaimah’s efforts to strengthen its position through major projects such as the US$ 5.1 billion Wynn Resort, which is set to grow the Emirate’s hospitality and entertainment sector.

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