Dubai Property Transaction Volume 2026
Real estate transaction data for 2025 and Q1 2026. Volume by emirate, property type and top communities. Market activity and buyer demographics.
Last updated: April 2026
Summary
Dubai real estate recorded approximately 180,000 transactions in 2025, valued at AED 760+ billion across all property types and emirates. Q1 2026 saw 52,000 transactions worth AED 220 billion, suggesting a steady annualized pace of 208,000 transactions (AED 880 billion). Off-plan sales dominate at ~65% of transaction count, driven by major developer launches (Emaar, Damac, Sobha). Secondary market accounts for ~35% of transactions. Top buying nationalities are Indian, British, Russian, Chinese and Saudi, reflecting both Golden Visa investor demand and end-user purchases. Downtown Dubai, Marina, Business Bay and JVC lead by transaction count; Palm Jumeirah, Jumeirah Bay and Emirates Hills lead by transaction value.
Key Market Metrics
2025 Transactions
~180,000
All property types
2025 Total Value
AED 760bn+
Combined transaction value
Q1 2026 Transactions
~52,000
Steady pace continued
Q1 2026 Value
AED 220bn
Annualizes to AED 880bn
Off-Plan Share
~65%
Strong developer activity
Secondary Share
~35%
Resale and rental market
Transaction Volume by Emirate (2025)
| Emirate | Transaction Count | % of Total | Total Value (AED bn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dubai | 144,000 | 80% | 640 |
| Abu Dhabi | 21,600 | 12% | 92 |
| Sharjah | 9,000 | 5% | 18 |
| Ajman | 3,600 | 2% | 8 |
| Other Emirates | 1,800 | 1% | 2 |
Transaction Volume by Property Type (Dubai, 2025)
| Property Type | Transaction Count | % of Total | Total Value (AED bn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apartments | 57,600 | 40% | 208 |
| Townhouses | 28,800 | 20% | 96 |
| Villas | 43,200 | 30% | 240 |
| Land & Other | 14,400 | 10% | 96 |
Top 10 Communities by Transaction Count (Dubai, 2025)
| Rank | Community | Transactions | Total Value (AED bn) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downtown Dubai | 14,400 | 96 |
| 2 | Dubai Marina | 12,960 | 72 |
| 3 | Business Bay | 11,520 | 48 |
| 4 | JBR | 9,720 | 40 |
| 5 | JVC | 7,920 | 16 |
| 6 | Dubai Hills Estate | 7,200 | 56 |
| 7 | Palm Jumeirah | 5,760 | 92 |
| 8 | International City | 5,040 | 10 |
| 9 | Jumeirah Bay | 3,240 | 48 |
| 10 | Emirates Hills | 2,880 | 44 |
Top Buyer Nationalities (2025)
Indian
22%
of transactions
British
14%
of transactions
Russian
11%
of transactions
Chinese
9%
of transactions
Saudi
8%
of transactions
Egyptian
6%
of transactions
Pakistani
5%
of transactions
American
4%
of transactions
Other
21%
of transactions
Off-Plan vs. Secondary Market (2025)
Off-Plan Sales
- • Transaction Count: ~93,600 (65%)
- • Total Value: ~AED 416 bn
- • Key Drivers: Major developer launches, Golden Visa demand
- • Top Developers: Emaar, Damac, Sobha, Meraas
Secondary Market
- • Transaction Count: ~50,400 (35%)
- • Total Value: ~AED 224 bn
- • Key Drivers: Investor exits, upgrades, downsizing
- • Price Variance: Greater price discovery & negotiation
Methodology & Sources
Data Collection: Transaction counts and values sourced from Dubai Land Department (DLD) official records, RERA reports and MRK market tracking.
Classification: Off-plan includes new project sales; secondary includes resales and rental market transfers.
Scope: Covers residential property transactions only. Excludes commercial, retail and land-only deals.
Frequency: Updated annually with quarterly estimates. Next update: Q2 2026.
Key Insights
- •Dubai accounts for 80% of UAE real estate transaction volume; still the primary investment hub.
- •Off-plan dominance (65%) reflects strong developer confidence and buyer appetite for new projects.
- •Indian buyers lead by volume (22%), followed by British (14%), reflecting both investment and end-user demand.
- •Golden Visa (AED 2M+) has catalyzed Asian capital inflow, particularly from China, Saudi and India.
- •Top 5 communities (Downtown, Marina, Business Bay, JBR, JVC) account for ~52% of all Dubai transactions.
- •Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bay lead by transaction value despite lower unit counts, indicating ultra-luxury strength.
- •Secondary market activity (35%) suggests healthy investor exit liquidity; resales are not stalled.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many transactions occurred in Dubai in 2025?
Approximately 180,000 transactions totaling AED 760 billion+ in value across all property types and emirates.
What was Q1 2026 transaction activity?
Estimated 52,000 transactions worth AED 220 billion in Q1 2026, suggesting a steady annualized pace.
What is the off-plan vs. secondary split?
Approximately 65% off-plan and 35% secondary market transactions, reflecting strong developer activity.
Who are the top buyer nationalities?
By volume: Indian, British, Russian, Chinese, Saudi buyers dominate. Golden Visa has attracted significant Asian capital.
Which communities see the most transaction volume?
Downtown Dubai, Marina, Business Bay, JBR and JVC lead by count. Palm Jumeirah and Jumeirah Bay lead by value.
Disclaimer: Figures are MRK internal research estimates based on DLD transactions, RERA smart rental index and CRC research as of April 2026. All figures are approximate and for reference only. For professional valuations and specific investment decisions, contact our team.