Dubai residents put down roots as average tenure surges to over a decade

Dubai’s transformation from a transient expatriate hub to a long‑term home for the majority of its residents is accelerating, with new data showing a sharp rise in how long people choose to stay in the emirate. According to betterhomes’ Future Living Report 2025, the average length of residency has jumped to 10.5 years, up from 7.5 years in 2024, marking one of the most significant shifts in tenant behavior in a decade. Nearly 60 per cent of residents now plan to remain in Dubai for more than ten years, underscoring rising confidence in the city’s stability, liveability, and long‑term prospects.

This shift is even more pronounced among tenants. In 2024, renters reported an average residency period of 6.7 years. By 2025, that figure rose to 9.9 years, with tenants now expecting to stay an average of 10.7 years — up from just 7 years the previous year. The findings signal a deeper emotional and financial commitment to the emirate, highlighting a tendency toward long‑term planning that was far less common even five years ago.

Louis Harding, CEO of betterhomes, said the new data marks a turning point in how residents view the city. “With 59 per cent of tenants committing to Dubai for the long term, it’s evident that people are planning their lives here with far greater confidence and clarity than we’ve seen before,” he said. “This shift reflects Dubai’s continued appeal as a stable, liveable city for both families and professionals.”

The underlying real estate dynamics support the trend. According to the Dubai Land Department, the emirate recorded 125,538 real estate transactions worth approximately Dh431 billion in the first half of 2025, a 25 per cent increase in value compared to the same period in 2024. Investor activity has surged alongside resident demand: DLD data shows that 94,717 investors entered the market in H1 2025 — a 26 per cent year‑on‑year increase — with nearly 59,000 of them being first‑time investors. Importantly, UAE residents accounted for 45 per cent of these new investors, highlighting a growing trend of tenants transitioning into property ownership.

For many, the decision to stay longer aligns with choosing to invest locally, driven in part by the city’s economic and infrastructural growth. Rupert Simmonds, Director of Leasing at Betterhomes, said the increase in tenant residency is a clear indicator of Dubai’s evolution. “People are choosing to stay longer, not out of necessity, but because the city supports long‑term living, stability, and progression,” he said. “Tenants are setting roots, planning ahead, and aligning their careers and families with a city they increasingly see as home.”

The city’s expanding real estate supply pipeline supports this upward shift in residency. DLD statistics show that approximately 17,200 residential units were completed in the first half of 2025, with more than 61,800 units currently under construction for delivery later in the year.

Prices have responded accordingly. Dubai’s residential sales prices rose 7.8 percent compared to H2 2024 and 16.6 per cent year‑on‑year from H1 2024, supported by strong transaction activity and sustained demand. Rental rates have shown early signs of stabilization after years of rapid growth, dipping 0.6 per cent from H2 2024 despite a 9.9 percent year‑on‑year rise—another indication of a maturing market balanced between landlords and long‑term tenants.

Together, the findings from Better homes and the Dubai Land Department paint a cohesive picture: Dubai is no longer seen simply as a temporary stopover but as a long‑term destination where residents are increasingly choosing to settle, invest, and grow. As the city continues expanding its infrastructure, diversifying its economy, and solidifying its global standing, the trend toward long‑term living looks set to strengthen further — reinforcing Dubai’s emergence as one of the world’s most desirable cities to call home.