Dubai’s off-plan property sales reached a record AED286 billion ($77.88 billion) in 2025 with the sale of about 132,000 homes in the year, according to a new report.
Dubai’s off-plan residential market delivered its strongest performance on record, reinforcing its role as the primary driver of the city’s real estate growth, according to betterhomes Dubai Residential Real Estate FY 2025 report.
Off-plan transactions accounted for 65% of total transaction volume. Total value climbed to 53% of the overall market value. This marks the third consecutive year that off-plan has led Dubai’s residential market, reflecting sustained investor confidence and deepening liquidity across launch-led communities, it said.
Investor-aligned products continued to underpin off-plan activity. Studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments dominated both launches and absorption, aligning with segments that offer the strongest rental demand, faster resale velocity, and scalable entry points. In parallel, 72% of all market transactions were concentrated in the AED500,000 to AED3 million price range, reinforcing the depth of demand for investable stock rather than speculative purchases.
Apartments remained the backbone of the off-plan market. In 2025, off-plan apartment sales generated AED248 billion in value from 122,000 transactions, underlining the segment’s role as Dubai’s most liquid residential asset class. Demand was particularly concentrated in Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC), Business Bay, and Dubai South, where new supply continues to be absorbed at a pace.
Reflecting on these figures, Wassim Abdallah, Director & Head of Development Sales & Consultancy at betterhomes, highlighted the market’s evolving maturity: “With 132,000 off-plan transactions in 2025, nearly two-thirds of all residential deals, buyers are showing greater discipline, focusing on pricing, location, and long-term demand rather than short-term gains. Liquidity is flowing into projects that make sense on fundamentals, signalling a more mature market.”
The broader economic backdrop remained supportive throughout the year. Dubai’s population surpassed 4 million, reinforcing underlying housing demand, while UAE economic growth remained resilient and inflation remained contained. At the same time, easing global interest rates and the UAE dirham’s peg to the US dollar strengthened Dubai’s appeal for regional and international investors seeking stability and long-term returns.
Looking ahead, off-plan is expected to remain market-leading as the delivery pipeline steps up through 2026 and 2027. With close to 98,000 residential units forecast for completion in 2026, market focus is shifting toward project quality, pricing discipline, and informed decision-making. As supply increases, experienced, data-led guidance is set to play an increasingly important role in helping buyers navigate the next phase of Dubai’s residential market evolution, the report said. - TradeArabia News Service
