Dubai Sees 37.4% Increase in Licensed Buildings, Signalling Robust Market Confidence

Dubai's real estate market continues to demonstrate strong growth and investor confidence, with a significant increase in building licenses issued. Data from Dubai Municipality reveals that 4,305 buildings were licensed in the first half of 2026, up from 3,134 in the same period of 2025. This represents a 37.4% year-on-year increase, or an additional 1,171 licensed buildings.

Sustained Development Momentum

Arabian Gulf Properties (AGP) highlighted these figures as evidence of robust urban development and sustained confidence in Dubai's property sector. Badar Rashid Al Blooshi, Chairman of AGP, noted that this growth extends beyond new project launches to include the enhancement of existing assets, indicating a dynamic market responsive to the needs of residents, businesses, and investors.

Currently, over 24,000 buildings are under construction across Dubai. This scale of development is a key indicator of the extensive urban transformation underway and the market's depth. Al Blooshi emphasised the importance of maintaining high standards in project quality, efficient delivery, and sustainability to preserve Dubai's competitiveness and long-term appeal as a global destination.

Strategic Growth and Regulatory Frameworks

Dubai's real estate market strength is supported by an integrated ecosystem featuring long-term urban planning, advanced infrastructure, and streamlined regulatory processes. The emirate's ability to attract residents, businesses, and investment further underpins this growth.

Ongoing initiatives to advance Dubai's construction ecosystem include digitalisation, simplified licensing procedures, updated regulatory frameworks, and the adoption of advanced technologies. These efforts align with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 and the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, aiming to foster continued economic and population growth, and enhance the urban environment with a broader range of residential and commercial options.