On 6 October 2026, the Lucretia news bulletin took stock: Dubai has gained 226,885 residents since January, its population now exceeds 4.8 million and the property market recorded nearly €140 billion in transactions over the first nine months of 2026.
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Dubai population growth in 2026 has hit a striking milestone: in a post published on 6 October 2026 on our Instagram account @lucretia_immobilier, Zach, from the Lucretia team in Dubai, opened the latest edition of our weekly news bulletin with a headline figure: 226,885 new residents have settled in Dubai since January 2026, and the city has never been more populous. The resident population now exceeds 4.8 million. Counting tourists and temporary workers, it reaches nearly 6.4 million people during the day.
The same edition covered a property week with nearly €2.8 billion in transactions, led by two office sales. It also noted that with nearly €140 billion traded between January and September, 2026 is already the second-best year in the history of the Dubai market.
@lucretia_immobilier · 6 October 2026
226,885 new residents in Dubai since January. The city has never been more populous. On this week's Lucretia news bulletin: The resident population passes 4.8 million, climbing to 6.4 million during the day with tourists and workers. Nearly €2.8 billion in property transactions last week, with a surprise: the two biggest sales were offices, not apartments. Over the first 9 months of 2026, Dubai recorded nearly €140 billion in transactions — the second-best year in its entire history. And finally, the high season is back: Miracle Garden reopens on 8 October, Dubai Safari on the 12th, and Global Village on the 14th for its 31st season. Thinking of investing in Dubai or Abu Dhabi? Send us INVEST by DM and we'll guide you from A to Z. #Dubai #ImmobilierDubai #InvestirDubai #AbuDhabi #LucretiaImmobilier
Key takeaways
- Dubai welcomed 226,885 new residents between January and early October 2026.
- Dubai's resident population exceeds 4.8 million in October 2026, and nearly 6.4 million people are present in the city each day, including tourists and temporary workers.
- At the end of September 2026, the Dubai property market recorded nearly €2.8 billion in transactions across 2,871 sales in a single week. The two largest sales were offices: €8.1 million at AHS Tower and €7.6 million at Lumena Alta.
- Over the first nine months of 2026, Dubai totals nearly €140 billion in property transactions, including €12.5 billion in September alone. 2026 is therefore already the second-best year in the market's history.
- The high season resumes in October 2026 with three reopenings: Dubai Miracle Garden on 8 October, Dubai Safari Park on 12 October and Global Village, for its 31st season, on 14 October.
Dubai population growth in 2026 underpins housing demand
With 226,885 more residents in nine months, Dubai has added the equivalent of a mid-sized city in 2026. Its resident population now exceeds 4.8 million. The increase is driven by job creation, families relocating and new businesses. As we said in our post, Dubai isn't simply bouncing back: it is growing structurally.
For a landlord, every new resident is looking for a home to rent or buy. During the day, the city hosts nearly 6.4 million people. The gap with the resident population also shows how much tourism and non-resident workers weigh on short-term rental demand and on life in the business districts. To place these figures within the market cycle, see our guide Dubai property market: trends and outlook.
A market close to its record, also driven by office property
Nearly €140 billion in transactions were recorded between January and September 2026. That is the second-highest annual total in Dubai's history, with a quarter still to go. September alone accounted for €12.5 billion. The last week of the month saw 2,871 sales, worth nearly €2.8 billion.
The standout of that week: the two biggest sales were not apartments but offices. The first sold for €8.1 million at AHS Tower, the second for €7.6 million at Lumena Alta. This strong comeback of commercial property follows population growth. More residents and more businesses push up demand for workspace.
- Residential property benefits directly from the arrival of new residents.
- Offices are becoming a diversification option for larger budgets.
- The high season, with the October reopenings, revives short-term rentals.
What it means for investors
For us, these figures confirm that demand in Dubai does not rest on foreign investment alone: it also comes from people moving there to live and work. Owners keep two decisive advantages. Individuals pay no tax on rental income or on property capital gains. And such an active market makes resale easier. Even so, a market near its record calls for selectivity. The choice of neighbourhood, developer and property type matters more as supply expands. No future return is guaranteed.
The season now starting is a good time to visit and compare. If you can't travel, buying remotely is fully regulated: our guide Buying in Dubai from abroad walks through every step. You can also find all our analysis on the Invest in Dubai page.
Lucretia supports you from defining your strategy to handing over the keys, thanks to our on-the-ground presence and trusted legal partners. Together, we identify the property that suits your situation, residential or commercial.
Source: Original post on Instagram (@lucretia_immobilier) — 6 October 2026
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About the author
Zakaria SEBAIBI
Real Estate Consultant
Originally from Asnières-sur-Seine and holding a Master's degree in finance, Zakaria specializes in the sale of off-plan real estate properties. With a long-term vision and a spirit of shared trust, he stands out for his excellent listening skills and his ability to understand his clients' needs. Resilient and determined, he puts his expertise at the service of those wishing to invest in the off-plan market, ensuring personalized support.
