Why Dubai's rental market is booming - What investors should know?

Property market updates | 07.01.2026 | Benham and Reeves UAE

For all good reasons, Dubai's property market has consistently captured the attention of investors and tenants around the world. Do you know why? With strong economic fundamentals, rental yields stands out as an attractive option when compared to many global cities. And not just this, robust demand, population growth and investor-friendly policies play an equivalent role to make it a highly in-demand city now.

Considering all the above factors, we have broken down the latest trends in rental yields that will help you explore the drivers behind them.

Why does rental yield matter so much?

Rental yield usually measures the income that you earn from rent relative to the cost of buying a property, giving investors a snapshot of how swiftly they might earn a return on their investment. In Dubai, gross rental yields before expenses remain well above those of many global hubs. As of the current situation in 2025:

• Average gross rental yields across Dubai are around 6.5%-7%, with some communities offering even more impressive returns, depending on the property type and location.
• Some prime areas, such as Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT), Arjan, Al Furjan, and JVC, regularly report strong yields due to affordability and higher tenant demand.
• When compared, many global cities deliver yields closer to 2-4%, making Dubai's above-average returns particularly eye-catching to buy-to-let investors.

Key factors of rental demand in Dubai

1. Rapid population growth

Dubai's growing population is one of the key factors driving the demand for rentals in the city.

• In 2025, Dubai's population exceeded 4 million, with an increase of more than 200,000 residents in the last year alone.
• The increase in numbers demonstrates a continuous arrival of professionals who are drawn to job opportunities, lifestyles, and business-friendly policies.
• More residents are naturally drawn to the greater demand for housing, particularly rentals, as many newcomers prefer to rent before settling or buying. Hence, this sustained demographic expansion helps keep rental markets expansive and competitive.

2. Strong economic and lifestyle appeal

Dubai's global business hub status has attracted talent from all over the world. Both investors and professionals are drawn to:

• A zero-tax income environment and strong corporate growth
• World-class infrastructure, airports and transport links
• High quality of life and international lifestyle offerings

Limited supply in relevance to the demand

While Dubai has shown consistent construction progress, residential supply has struggled to keep pace with rising demand in key areas. Recent reports show that an increase in supply is causing population inflows, which in turn is reducing availability and causing rental growth to rise.

The imbalance between supply and demand increases occupancy rates and allows landlords to have more control over prices in lease discussions, which is a major reason why many investors continue to find Dubai rentals appealing.

Attractive for short-term and long-term rentals

Dubai's tourism resurgence nd a progressive short-term rental framework add another layer of demand. Many investors use platforms like Airbnb or hotel-style rentals in high-traffic areas, particularly Downtown, Marina, and Palm Jumeirah, where seasonal and business travel help maximise income.

Areas where rental yields are shining

Rental performance varies across communities:

• Emerging areas like Arjan and Al Furjan often push yields into the 7-8% plus range for apartments.
• Central areas like JLT, Downtown Dubai, and Business Bay offer high returns due to high rental demand, particularly for smaller units.
• Investors looking for stable income often balance this yield potential with location quality and long-term capital growth.

Population trends: What's beneath?

Dubai's demographic trajectory has a direct influence on the rental demand, With a rapidly rising population- driven by employment, entrepreneurship and foreign investment, the city requires more housing every coming year. Also, the continued growth projections seeDubai adding potentially millions of new residents by the end of the decade, underpinning long-term demand.

What lies next for you?

At Benham and Reeves, we specialise in Dubai's dynamic real estate market and can help clients:

• Assess and analyse the rental returns for different neighborhoods and types of properties.
• Look for investment opportunities that are in line with your financial objectives.
• Handle all aspects of rental property management, from finding tenants to negotiating contracts.
• Keep informed about regulatory changes and market trends

If you're new to investing or looking to diversify your portfolio, our team of experts is prepared to provide personalized advice and local knowledge to help you maximize your profits while reducing your risks.