Dubai population 2025 reached 4.58 million, growing by 7.5% in a year, while the number of people in the city during the day rises to more than 6.39 million.
DUBAI: Dubai’s population has crossed 4.58 million, marking one of the fastest annual growth rates in the emirate’s history.
According to Digital Dubai, the emirate’s population reached 4.58 million by the end of 2025, an increase of around 332,000 people compared with the previous year. That represents a 7.5% growth rate, highlighting Dubai’s continued appeal as a place to live, work and invest.
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The announcement came as Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, approved Dubai’s new real-time census and population growth monitoring project.
Unlike traditional censuses that are carried out every few years, the new system uses government records, smart technology and real-time data to keep track of population changes as they happen. Officials say this will help government departments plan services more quickly and accurately.
Another key finding from the report is that the number of people in Dubai during the day is much higher than its resident population.
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When tourists, daily commuters, students and business visitors are included, the number of people present in the emirate rises to around 6.392 million. This means more than 1.8 million additional people are in Dubai on a typical day, placing extra demand on roads, public transport, healthcare and other services.
Officials say the population growth reflects the strength of Dubai’s economy. In 2025, the emirate recorded 5.4% GDP growth, welcomed 19.6 million international tourists and handled around 96 million passengers through Dubai’s airports.
Younus Al Nasser, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, said the Dubai Population Now initiative is more than just a population counter. He described it as a tool that helps authorities understand demographic changes, predict future needs and make smarter decisions.
Also read: UN predicts world population will be 10.3 billion by 2080s
The new system combines data from several government entities, including the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs-Dubai, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Dubai Municipality and the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism.
Dubai has come a long way over the past century. Its population has grown from around 12,000 people in 1881 to more than 4.58 million today, making it one of the world’s fastest-growing cities.
The Dubai population 2025 figures underline the emirate’s growing role as a global hub for business, tourism, innovation and talent, with officials expecting demand for housing, transport and public services to continue rising in the years ahead.
