Dubai’s property market closed the first half of 2026 as its second-strongest on record: around 86,000 sales transactions and steady demand from both local and international investors.
The figures summarise H1 2026, citing Dubai Land Department. Here are the key numbers and what they mean for investors.
Market volumes
The half saw around 86,000 sales transactions. Across all deal types — sales, mortgages and gifts — the total reached roughly AED 421 billion. In the first quarter alone, transaction value rose 31% year on year to AED 252 billion, per Dubai Land Department.
Luxury and supply
At the top end, 296 homes sold above USD 10 million — one of the strongest half-year results in the city’s history. Supply keeps building too: about 18,000 new homes were handed over in the first half, with nearly 59,000 more units expected across Dubai and Abu Dhabi by the end of 2026.
Prices and rents
Home prices held about 1.9% above 2025 levels. Average rents eased against the previous quarter, but selected communities delivered rental yields of around 9% — the market is shifting from a frenzied climb toward a more balanced phase.
What it means for investors
High volumes alongside steadying prices signal a maturing market, where returns increasingly depend on choosing the right district and asset type rather than a broad upward wave. How to read yields and where ROI gets eroded is covered separately: Dubai real estate returns.
This material is for information only and is not investment advice. For current data, see Dubai Land Department’s official resources (dubailand.gov.ae).
