2024: Pakistanis among top 5 buyers of real estate in Dubai, Indians top list

Indians continued to remain top buyers of Dubai real estate in 2024, while Pakistanis were placed fifth, climbing up from seventh place, according to a report released recently by the emirate-based property consultancy Better Homes.

Property prices in Dubai are set to rise by 5-8% annually in 2025, with luxury hotspots like Palm Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai seeing even higher spikes, according to data compiled by UAE developer Damac.

British buyers came in second, while Russian buyers that secured third place in 2023, have now fallen to ninth position while Turkey replaced Poland in the tenth spot.

The total value of property sold in 2024 was AED423 billion, – a 30% YoY increase in transaction value as well as volume, added Better Homes.

Dubai’s real estate sector has shattered sales records, with industry experts identifying Emaar, Ellington, Meraas, Select, and Omniyat as the premier developers poised for exceptional growth and investment returns in 2025, according to Arabian Business.

The luxury property sector in particular has been performing consistently well outpacing cities like London and New York, leaving a glut in the market for $10 million+ homes with prices slated to rise by another 8-10% in 2025, according to Better Homes data.

The city’s ambitious Real Estate Strategy 2033 is also aiming for an eventual AED 1 trillion market valuation, while population is expected to reach 4.34 million by 2027.

In 2024, Dubai welcomed record overnight visitors -18.72 million - as tourism continues to drive economic growth, influencing retail, hospitality and real estate demand.

Additionally, major infrastructure initiatives, including the Etihad Rail Network, Dubai’s Blue Metro Line and improvements to traffic congestion will only enhance this growth.

Dubai also remains on track to continue to attract more and more Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWI) as developments of luxury designer developments also continue to rise. Dubai is home to nearly 140 branded residences.

Global talent will also continue to descend with initiatives such as golden visa, blue visa and investor programs.

The current real estate trend, which has been defined by analysts as not a mere “bubble”, is also dictating trends in the hospitality sector. In the last year alone, the 5-star hotel industry saw a whopping 111.8% growth, according to real estate consultancy Cavendish Maxwell.