With new data indicating a dramatic increase in the length of time people choose to stay in the emirate, Dubai’s transition from a temporary expatriate hub to a long-term home for the bulk of its citizens is advancing. The average length of stay has increased to 10.5 years from 7.5 years in 2024, according to betterhomes’ Future Living Report 2025. This is one of the biggest changes in tenant behavior in ten years. Rising confidence in Dubai’s stability, livability, and long-term prospects is demonstrated by the fact that nearly 60% of its citizens now intend to stay for more than ten years.
Among tenants, this change is much more noticeable. Renters reported living there for an average of 6.7 years in 2024. Tenants now anticipate staying an average of 10.7 years, up from just 7 years the year before, and that number increased to 9.9 years by 2025. The results show a trend for long-term planning that was far less prevalent even five years ago, indicating a deeper emotional and financial commitment to the emirate.
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 tendency is supported by the underlying real estate dynamics. The Dubai Land Department reports that in the first half of 2025, the emirate registered 125,538 real estate transactions totaling around Dh431 billion, a 25% increase in value over the same time in 2024. Alongside resident demand, investor activity has increased. According to DLD data, 94,717 investors entered the market in H1 2025, a 26% year-over-year rise, with over 59,000 of them being first-time investors. Significantly, 45% of these new investors were UAE citizens, indicating a growing trend of tenants becoming property owners.
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.”
This increase in population is supported by the city’s growing real estate supply pipeline. According to DLD data, almost 17,200 residential units were finished in the first half of 2025, and over 61,800 units are presently being built for delivery later in the year.
Prices have reacted appropriately. Due to robust transaction activity and ongoing demand, Dubai’s residential sales prices increased 7.8% from H2 2024 and 16.6% year over year from H1 2024. After years of strong expansion, rental rates have exhibited early indications of stabilization, falling 0.6% from H2 2024 despite a 9.9% year-over-year increase. This is another symptom of a maturing market that is balanced between long-term tenants and landlords.
When taken as a whole, the results from Betterhomes and the Dubai Land Department show that Dubai is now viewed as a long-term destination where people are choosing to settle, invest, and expand rather than just a short-term stopover. The trend toward long-term living appears certain to continue growing as the city expands its infrastructure, diversifies its economy, and solidifies its position in the world. This will further consolidate Dubai’s position as one of the most sought-after places in the world to call home.
