Dubai’s real estate sector demonstrated remarkable resilience and growth last week, recording AED17.99 billion ($4.9 billion) in transactions according to data released by the Dubai Land Department. The market showed particularly strong performance in sales, which accounted for AED13.52 billion ($3.7 billion) of the total value.
Between April 14 and April 18, a total of 4,662 sales transactions were completed across the emirate, highlighting the sustained demand for property in one of the world’s fastest-growing real estate markets.
Luxury Market Remains Robust
The luxury segment continues to be a standout performer in Dubai’s property landscape. Among the most valuable transactions recorded last week were:
• An apartment in The Alba Residences, Palm Jumeirah, which sold for AED61.3 million ($16.7 million)
• An apartment in Address Grand Downtown in the prestigious Burj Khalifa area, fetching AED51.6 million ($14.1 million)
• Another unit in The Alba Residences, Palm Jumeirah, which changed hands for AED51.6 million ($14 million)
These high-value transactions underscore Dubai’s continued appeal to ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking premium real estate investments.
Financing and Gift Transactions
Beyond direct sales, the market also saw significant activity in other transaction types. Mortgage deals worth AED3.66 billion ($996.5 million) were recorded during the week, reflecting healthy financing activity in the sector. Additionally, gift transactions valued at AED805.4 million ($219.3 million) further contributed to the overall market dynamics.
Women Investors Gaining Prominence
A notable trend in Dubai’s real estate landscape is the growing participation of women investors. According to Majida Ali Rashid, CEO of the Dubai Land Department’s Real Estate Development market, women contributed AED118 billion ($32.13 billion) to the emirate’s property market in 2024 through more than 50,979 sales transactions.
Women now represent 34% of all real estate investors in Dubai, showcasing a significant shift in investment demographics. Rashid highlighted that women’s strategic vision and leadership abilities position them as key players in shaping the future of Dubai’s real estate market, aligning with the emirate’s D33 economic agenda and Dubai Real Estate Strategy 2033.
Dubai Rises Among Global Wealth Centres
Dubai’s status as a magnet for wealth has been further cemented by its recent entry into the world’s top 20 wealthiest cities. The emirate is now home to 81,200 millionaires, including 237 centi-millionaires (individuals with more than $100 million in assets) and 20 billionaires.
This represents a remarkable transformation, with Dubai climbing from 21st to 18th position on the global rankings of the world’s wealthiest cities in 2025. Over the past decade, the city has experienced a 102% increase in the number of billionaires, making it the world’s third-fastest growing metropolis for high-net-worth individuals, trailing only Shenzhen and Hangzhou.
The influx of wealth is particularly notable in year-over-year comparisons. Dubai attracted 8,700 new millionaires in 2024 alone, increasing its high-net-worth population from 72,500 in 2023 to 81,200 by year-end. Similarly, the number of ultra-wealthy individuals with assets exceeding $100 million grew from 212 to 237 over the same period.
Factors Driving Growth
Dubai’s ascendance as a global wealth hub can be attributed to several factors, including its favourable tax environment, world-class infrastructure, strategic location, and forward-thinking economic policies designed to attract international investors and businesses.
The emirate’s real estate sector has been a primary beneficiary of these advantages, offering investors attractive returns, a diverse range of property options, and a relatively stable market environment compared to many other global cities.
As Dubai continues to implement its ambitious economic development plans, including the D33 agenda and Real Estate Strategy 2033, the property market is likely to remain a cornerstone of the emirate’s growth story, attracting both regional and international investment capital seeking stable and lucrative opportunities.
