The UAE’s real estate sector continued its strong performance in the first half of 2026, driven by robust demand, foreign investment and a resilient economy, with experts expecting sustained growth in the months ahead.
ABU DHABI: The UAE’s property market continued to demonstrate remarkable strength during the first half of 2026, reinforcing its reputation as a global investment hotspot. Rising investor confidence, strong economic fundamentals and sustained housing demand have helped keep UAE real estate on a steady growth path, with market experts expecting the positive momentum to continue through the second half of the year.
According to market data, apartment and villa sales surged by 173.9 per cent to more than AED84.4 billion, while transactions rose 103 per cent year on year to 16,585 deals. In Dubai, property sales exceeded AED286 billion during the first six months of 2026, making it the emirate’s second-best half-year performance on record after 2025.
Global property consultants also highlighted the country’s resilience. CBRE cited the UAE’s strong economic foundations, healthy financial reserves and stable sovereign credit rating, while Knight Frank said Dubai continues to strengthen its appeal as a preferred destination for global wealth migration and property investment. The UAE also remains among the fastest-growing countries for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
The report noted that newly announced real estate projects in Dubai exceeded AED275 billion during the first half of the year, marking the largest six-month launch cycle in the emirate’s history. Experts attributed the continued growth in UAE real estate to long-term residency programmes, infrastructure expansion, economic diversification and steady population growth.
Industry leaders believe the market has entered a more mature phase, with demand increasingly focused on high-quality developments, strategic locations and long-term investment value rather than rapid price gains. They also expect branded residences, waterfront communities and premium commercial assets to remain in high demand.
With government-backed infrastructure projects, flexible regulations and continued investor confidence, UAE real estate is expected to maintain its resilience and remain one of the world’s most attractive property markets throughout the remainder of 2026.
