Dubai Property Market Sets Record-Breaking Start to 2026 With Historic January Surge

Dubai’s real estate sector opened the year with unprecedented momentum, recording its highest-ever January for transaction value and sales activity, according to new data released by the Dubai Land Department.

Total real estate transactions reached Dh107.96 billion in January, nearly doubling the Dh57.89 billion recorded in the same month last year. The year-on-year increase of 86.5 per cent marks the strongest January performance in the emirate’s property market history.

The number of overall transactions rose 17.27 per cent to 21,884, up from 18,661 a year earlier, highlighting sustained demand across multiple segments of the market.

Sales activity led the surge, reaching a record Dh70.05 billion, the highest monthly sales value ever registered in Dubai’s real estate sector. This represented a 59.13 per cent increase compared to January last year. A total of 16,858 sales deals were completed during the month, up 20.38 per cent from 14,003 transactions in the same period of 2025.

Mortgage transactions also remained strong, totalling Dh32.04 billion across 4,160 deals, while property gifts reached Dh5.87 billion through 826 transactions, reflecting continued confidence across ownership categories.

Several districts posted standout performances by sales value. Al Rowaiyah 1 led the market with Dh6.31 billion, followed closely by Meydan 2 (Me’aisem 2) at Dh6.04 billion, and Al Yalayis 1 with Dh4.6 billion.

Business Bay ranked fourth at Dh3.51 billion, while Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens recorded Dh3.26 billion. Other high-performing areas included Umm Suqeim First, Palm Jebel Ali, Dubai Investment Park Second, and Palm Deira, each exceeding Dh1.7 billion in sales.

Commenting on the results, Ahmed Al Dawla, Chairman of On Plan Real Estate, said the figures reflect a fundamental shift in how Dubai is viewed by international buyers.

“Dubai is no longer a temporary stop or a short-term tourism destination,” he said. “It has become a city of long-term residence, attracting individuals and families from around the world who are choosing to settle here.”

Al Dawla cited safety, world-class infrastructure and economic stability as key drivers, alongside policy reforms that have strengthened investor confidence. He added that major developments, including large-scale projects in areas such as the Dubai International Financial Centre, continue to fuel demand, particularly for premium residential and family-oriented properties.

Looking ahead, he expects property prices to maintain an upward trajectory, driven by limited land availability, strong demand and the growing presence of international developers. He noted that total real estate transactions in 2025 approached Dh917 billion, a level initially targeted for 2033, suggesting Dubai’s property market could soon exceed Dh1 trillion in annual trading value.