Dubai Residents Staying Longer: Average Length of Stay Exceeds 10 Years

Dubai, which has traditionally been labeled as one of the easiest and most attractive destinations for migrants and as a transit zone for foreign talent, is rapidly changing and becoming a place of long-term residency for most of its populace and the larger population of the UAE as well. The latest statistics made available in the Future Living Report 2025 of Betterhomes illustrate that the average tenure of Dubai’s residents has now reached 10.5 years, as compared to approximately 7.5 years in 2024.

According to the report, approximately 60% of Dubai residents have plans to stay in Dubai for more than ten years, showing increased stability in Dubai’s economy, the quality of life, and the overall future prospects. This also reveals that the decision to stay in Dubai is no longer short-term, with more residents planning for the future.

Substantial Rise inTenant Retention Rates in Dubai

The change in the way people live is more apparent when it comes to tenants. In the year 2024, the average tenancy duration in Dubai was close to 6.7 years, and this increased to 9.9 years in the year 2025. Tenants would now live in Dubai for an average of 10.7 years, as opposed to the previous average of 7 years. This trend is an indicator that there is an emotional and financial attachment, which was not apparent even five years ago.

Dubai: Moving from a transit point to a residence

Lewis Harding, the CEO of Betterhomes, calls these results a “turning point in the way that Dubai is perceived by its residents.” He said:

“The fact that 59% of the tenants are committed to staying in Dubai for the long term shows that people are planning their life in the future with more confidence and clarity. Dubai is now recognized as a stable city that can support a family and professionals.”

Transaction Volume Growth and Entry of New Investors

Data from the Dubai Land Department further supports this trend. In the first six months of 2025, more than 125,000 transactions worth AED 431 billion were recorded in Dubai, which shows a 25% increase in value compared to the previous year.

During the same period, 94,717 new investors injected into the property sector in Dubai, representing a 26% increase compared with the same period of the previous year. Significantly, 59,000 investors were first-time buyers, and 45% were UAE residents, which reflects the rising trend among tenants becoming homeowners.

Expanded Housing Stock and Gradual Stabilization of the Rental Market

On the supply side, the real estate sector in Dubai is meeting the rise in demand. Statistics show that about 17,200 housing units were completed within the first half of 2025, while more than 61,800 units are being constructed and will be completed by the end of the year.

Owing to these changes, residential property selling prices in Dubai have increased by around 7.8% compared to the second half of 2024, and by 16.6% in annual terms, while rental prices, on the other hand, appear to be stabilizing with a drop of around 0.6% compared to the second half of 2024, with a year-over-year increase of 9.9%.

Conclusion

Together, the figures point to one clear reality: Dubai is no longer a flash-in-the-pan destination for business or investment. Rather, it is becoming a destination where people want to settle for the long term, with intelligent, sustainable investment becoming increasingly tied to the raising of a family. Increased residency, more property sales to individuals who once rented, and a more stable market for rentals all indicate that the real estate market in Dubai is maturing. Dubai is establishing itself as one of the world’s best locations to call home, and this trend is going to accelerate.

Source: https://www.khaleejtimes.com