UAE real estate market has carried its momentum into 2026. The first quarter shows steady activity across major emirates, with both transaction values and investor participation moving up.
In Dubai, the market continues to operate at a large scale. Over 718,000 transactions were recorded during the quarter. Out of these, just over 60,000 were disposals, which is slightly higher than last year. The increase isn’t sharp, but it reflects stability.
What stands out more is the value side. Total transactions reached AED 252 billion, which is a noticeable jump compared to Q1 2025. Investment activity followed a similar trend, with 57,744 investments adding up to AED 173 billion.
The investor base is also expanding. The total number of investors crossed 48,000, and a significant share of that growth is coming from new entrants. More than 29,000 people invested for the first time this quarter, suggesting continued interest from fresh buyers.
Abu Dhabi saw a much sharper rise. Transaction value moved up to AED 66 billion from around AED 25 billion last year. The number of deals also nearly doubled, crossing 13,500. Compared to other emirates, the pace here feels more accelerated.
In Sharjah, the growth is more measured. Real estate transactions touched AED 18.5 billion, up from AED 13.2 billion last year. Volumes also increased, with transactions reaching over 29,000.
One noticeable shift in Sharjah is the broader investor mix. Participation expanded to 113 nationalities. Local and international investors contributed almost equally in terms of value, which indicates a balanced demand base.
Ajman recorded steady activity without major spikes. Total transactions stood at AED 6.22 billion across close to 4,000 deals. Trading activity alone contributed over AED 4 billion. Growth here is gradual, but consistent.
Looking at the overall picture, the market is not being driven by a single city. Dubai remains the largest, Abu Dhabi is gaining pace, and Sharjah and Ajman continue to build steadily. The trend points toward sustained participation rather than short-term movement.
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