The UAE's real estate market is expected to grow to AED2.98 trillion by 2031, driven by population growth, foreign investment and a sustained pipeline of large-scale developments, according to a new forecast from Statista Market Insights.
June 11, 2026 | Riya Malhotra | UAE | Real Estate
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The UAE real estate market is projected to reach AED2.98 trillion ($811.4 billion) by 2031, underlining the sector's growing role in the country's economic diversification agenda and its appeal to international investors, according to a new report by Statista Market Insights.
The forecast points to a combination of population growth, rising foreign direct investment (FDI) and the UAE's increasing attractiveness as a destination for business, lifestyle and long-term residency as key drivers of expansion over the remainder of the decade.
According to the report, continued development activity across the country is expected to support market growth, with developers launching increasingly ambitious residential, commercial and mixed-use projects designed to accommodate growing demand and evolving investor preferences.
The findings come amid sustained momentum across the UAE property sector, particularly in Dubai, which continues to account for the largest share of real estate activity. Data from the Dubai Land Department showed the emirate recorded AED10.17 billion in property transactions during the week of 1-5 June, with more than 2,884 sales transactions completed during the period.
The report also highlights the UAE's growing appeal among international investors. Separate research conducted by US-based advisory firm Penta Group found that 56% of global investors expressed strong interest in the UAE property market, placing the country ahead of the United States (54%), the United Kingdom (41%), France (28%) and Spain (27%).
Investor sentiment was particularly strong among regional and Asian markets. According to the study, 91% of Indian investors, 92% of Egyptian investors and 85% of Saudi investors ranked the UAE among their top three preferred investment destinations.
Beyond demand fundamentals, the report notes that the scale and complexity of new development activity are increasing across the country. As a result, developers and investors are placing greater emphasis on technology-enabled planning, design and sales processes to improve decision-making and project delivery.
The forecast adds to a growing body of market research pointing to the long-term resilience of the UAE real estate sector, supported by economic diversification initiatives, population growth, infrastructure investment and policy measures designed to attract international capital and skilled professionals.
While Dubai remains the country's dominant real estate market, continued investment and development activity across other emirates are expected to contribute to the sector's overall expansion in the years ahead.
Sources: Statista Market Insights report on the UAE real estate market outlook to 2031; Dubai Land Department transaction data for the week of 1-5 June 2026; Penta Group global investor sentiment study as referenced by Gulf Today and The Week.
