Dubai's population is growing at a record rate: 470 new daily residents versus just 150 new homes

Dubai continues to consolidate itself as one of the most attractive destinations for expatriates, professionals and investors. However, this success brings with it a significant challenge: the population is growing much faster than the construction of new housing.

According to the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, in October alone the emirate added 17,660 new inhabitants, which is equivalent to 470 new residents per day. This dynamic has boosted the total population above 4.04 million people.

But while the city is growing at a rapid pace, housing supply is not growing at the same pace. Currently, they are only added 150 new residential units per day, creating an obvious mismatch between supply and demand.

A housing market under pressure

Industry forecasts point to the delivery of 44,000 new homes in 2024, a figure that falls short of the real increase in the population.
Hassan Saliba, CEO of Stage Properties, warned that not even all the units sold will be enough to meet the demand generated by population growth.

As a consequence, Rental prices continue to rise, which has prompted the authorities to seek solutions that are more accessible to residents. Among them, the First Home Buyer Program, designed to facilitate access to property and alleviate pressure on the rental market.

Why is Dubai still attracting so many new residents?

Despite the challenges, experts agree that Dubai maintains an attractiveness that is difficult to match:

- Absence of personal income taxes

- Economic and political stability

- Business-friendly environment

- High quality of life and safety

- World-class infrastructure

These factors position the emirate as a magnet for qualified professionals, digital nomads, entrepreneurs and international investors.

The Challenges Towards 2040: A Rising Housing Deficit

Dubai plans to achieve 5.8 million inhabitants in 2040, a figure that, if maintained at the current pace, would generate enormous pressure on the real estate market.

To meet this goal in a sustainable way, the emirate needs 128,000 new homes each year, more than triple the 40,000 that are currently being built. This gap highlights the urgency of accelerating urban planning and construction capacity.

Conclusion

Dubai is experiencing a period of historic growth, driven by its global attractiveness and expanding economy.

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