Dubai’s real estate market continued to post strong growth indicators during the first half of 2026, supported by sustained development activity and expanding demand for both residential and investment properties, with 104 real estate projects completed at an investment value exceeding AED 111 billion.
The completed projects added 24,537 new real estate units to the market, reflecting the sector’s ability to keep pace with continued demand growth while offering a wider range of choices to buyers and investors across different areas of the emirate.
The latest data from the Dubai Land Department showed that the number of completed real estate projects rose by 38.7% compared with the same period in 2025, while their investment value increased by 52%, underscoring the continued momentum across the sector.
Strong Growth in Completed Real Estate Projects in Dubai
The rise in the number of completed projects during the first half of the year reflects the ongoing pace of real estate development in Dubai, alongside an expanding base of buyers and investors and growing interest in the opportunities available across the emirate.
Badr Rashid Al Blooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties, said the growth in projects and new units indicates that the market is entering a more mature stage, characterized by a wider range of options for investors and buyers while demand continues to expand.
Al Blooshi said: “The importance today does not lie in the volume of new projects alone, but in the market’s ability to absorb this growth through a broader and more diverse base of buyers. Dubai is attracting international investors, while at the same time witnessing growth in the segment of residents looking to move from renting to ownership, which supports the development of a more balanced market over the long term.”
These indicators highlight the market’s ability to absorb additional supply through diversified sources of demand, including both international investors and residents seeking ownership and long-term stability in Dubai.
24.5K New Real Estate Units Enter the Market
Projects completed during the first half of 2026 added around 24,537 new real estate units, increasing available supply and broadening the range of choices for people looking to buy for either residential or investment purposes.
The increase in new units comes at a time when the market is seeing growing interest from different buyer segments, helping support a healthier balance between supply and demand while increasing competition among projects and developers.
The broader supply also gives investors more room to compare locations, projects, payment plans, and potential returns, supporting more informed investment decisions.
Dubai Real Estate Market Enters a More Mature Stage
The simultaneous growth in project numbers, investment value, and the diversity of demand reflects the Dubai real estate market’s transition into a more mature phase, where project quality and the value offered to buyers are becoming increasingly important in ownership and investment decisions.
At the same time, the market continues to benefit from foreign investment inflows, alongside a growing number of residents looking to shift from renting to homeownership.
This diversity in demand supports market resilience, expands the buyer base, and contributes to the sustainability of real estate activity over the long term rather than leaving the market dependent on a single category of investors.
First-Time Home Buyer Program Expands the Buyer Base
Al Blooshi also praised the importance of the “First-Time Home Buyer” program, which enables residents to purchase their first homes in Dubai and generates high-value real estate transactions.
The program is one of the initiatives supporting higher homeownership rates among residents, particularly as the population continues to grow and more residents seek long-term stability through owning their homes.
Expanding the base of end-user buyers also helps strengthen genuine demand for residential units and supports more balanced market growth alongside continued investment activity.
Investors Are Becoming More Selective
Al Blooshi explained that rising foreign investment, together with the increase in new projects, is placing greater importance on location, project quality, developer reputation, and the property’s real underlying value, particularly as investors are presented with a wider range of choices.
He said: “As supply increases, investors will become more selective. The decisive factor will no longer be the launch of a project itself, but rather its location, product quality, payment plan, expected return, and the strength of real demand in the area. This is a positive development for the market because it raises the level of competition and encourages developers to deliver projects that are more closely aligned with the needs of both end users and investors.”
As the number of projects and units continues to grow, the process of comparing opportunities is becoming more closely tied to specific factors, including location, construction quality, payment plans, and the overall appeal of the area for living or investment.
This also strengthens competition among developers to introduce projects that respond more precisely to market needs, helping improve the overall quality of real estate products available to buyers.
Greater Performance Differences Between Areas and Projects
Al Blooshi added that the next stage could see greater differences in performance between areas and projects, as buyers shift from looking at the market as a whole to evaluating opportunities in greater detail, whether in terms of rental yields, potential capital appreciation, or the quality of life and services surrounding a development.
As the range of available choices expands, buyers and investors are likely to focus more closely on the individual characteristics of each area and project rather than relying solely on the market’s overall direction.
Priorities may differ from one investor to another. Some may focus on rental returns, while others look for opportunities for capital appreciation over the medium and long term. Buyers purchasing for their own use may place greater emphasis on quality of life, services, and surrounding infrastructure.
