Future living report 2025
Dubai isn’t just a place people pass through anymore. It’s where they’re putting down roots, raising families, and building long-term wealth. The Future Living Report 2025 is based on 1,439 voices from across the city and looks at how people are living, renting, and investing. What they’re happy with, what worries them, and where they’re headed next.
What comes through clearly is a more settled, confident resident base. People planning to stay for the long haul, tenants actively working towards ownership, and homeowners who feel their Dubai properties are performing strongly. At the same time, renters are still highly value-conscious, pushing the market to deliver better quality, fairer pricing, and communities that genuinely support day-to-day life.
5 key takeaways
1. Dubai is becoming a long-term home, not a stopover
59% of residents now plan to stay in Dubai for more than 10 years, with an average intended stay of around 11.2 years. This signals a city that people see as a true home base for their careers, families, and futures, not just a temporary posting.
2. People are overwhelmingly content in their homes, but they’re still keeping an eye on value.
Resident satisfaction is remarkably high, with 93% saying they’re happy where they live (67% satisfied, 26% extremely satisfied). Yet 69% of tenants say they would move if rents climb sharply, a clear reminder that even satisfied residents remain highly price-sensitive and value-driven.
3. A strong pipeline of future buyers is already in motion
More than half of respondents (55%) plan to purchase a property in Dubai within the next 1–3 years, and 61% expect to use mortgage financing. This points to deep, sustained end-user demand rather than purely speculative interest.
4. Ownership is maturing, and investment performance is reassuring
A balanced ownership mix reflects a maturing market: 41% of homeowners own one property in Dubai, while 38% hold multiple homes. 87% of homeowners and landlords are satisfied with their rental yields, while 44% report that their Dubai assets outperform overseas properties, reinforcing confidence in the city as an investment market.
5. Dubai is on track to rival the world’s top real estate hubs
89% of homeowners believe Dubai will stand alongside cities like London, New York, Singapore and Hong Kong as a top-tier real estate market within the next five years. With nearly 200,000 new units expected by 2027 and strong capital inflows, the sentiment is clear: residents and investors alike see Dubai’s growth story as far from over.
This is just a snapshot. See the full picture of how Dubai residents are living, renting and investing today.
Download the report now.
