Dubai completes 104 real estate projects, adds 24,537 units in H1 2026

Dubai’s real estate market added 24,537 new units during the first half of 2026 as 104 projects were completed with a combined investment value of more than Dh111 billion, according to the latest data from the Dubai Land Department.

The number of completed projects rose 38.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2025, while the total investment value increased by 52 per cent, highlighting continued development activity across the emirate.

Growing supply meets broader buyer demand

Badar Rashid Al Blooshi, Chairman of Arabian Gulf Properties, said the rise in completed projects and new units reflects a more mature phase for Dubai’s property market, with buyers and investors gaining access to a wider range of options.

“The significance today lies not only in the volume of new projects entering the market, but also in the market’s ability to absorb this growth through a broader and more diverse buyer base,” Al Blooshi said.

He noted that Dubai continues to attract international investors while an increasing number of residents are looking to move from renting to home ownership, supporting a more balanced market over the longer term.

Al Blooshi also highlighted Dubai’s First-Time Home Buyer Programme, which enables residents to purchase their first homes in the emirate and has contributed to real estate transaction activity.

Investors expected to become more selective

With new project supply continuing to expand alongside foreign investment, Al Blooshi said buyers are likely to place greater emphasis on location, project quality, developer reputation and the underlying value of individual properties.

“As supply increases, investors will become more selective. The launch of a project alone will no longer be the deciding factor,” he said.

Factors such as location, product quality, payment plans, expected returns and genuine demand in specific areas are expected to play a greater role in investment decisions.

According to Al Blooshi, this could increase competition among developers and encourage projects that are more closely aligned with the requirements of both end users and investors.

Property performance may vary by area

The next phase of Dubai’s property market could see greater variation in performance between different locations and projects, Al Blooshi said.

Rather than assessing the market solely on its overall direction, buyers may increasingly compare individual opportunities based on rental yields, potential capital appreciation, quality of life and access to surrounding amenities.

The increase in available housing stock also gives buyers and investors a wider selection across different price points, locations and property types.

Digital infrastructure supports market transparency

Al Blooshi also pointed to the continued development of Dubai’s regulatory and digital real estate infrastructure.

Greater transparency and access to market data, combined with the emirate’s expanding regulatory framework, are strengthening Dubai’s ability to attract long-term investment, he said.

The latest project-completion figures underline the continued scale of construction and investment activity in Dubai’s property market, while the expanding supply base is expected to give buyers and investors more opportunities to assess projects on individual fundamentals.