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Dubai Population 2026: Live Statistics, Growth Trends & Insights

Every property forecast in Dubai rests on this number. Here it is on its own, from 2008 to now, with the year-on-year change that produced it.

4.8MPopulation in 2026
19.65%Growth in 2026789,600 people
1.6MPopulation in 2008
3.0xGrowth since 2008

Population 2008 to 2026

1.6M

2008

1.7M

2009

1.9M

2010

2.0M

2011

2.1M

2012

2.2M

2013

2.3M

2014

2.4M

2015

2.6M

2016

2.9M

2017

3.1M

2018

3.3M

2019

3.4M

2020

3.5M

2021

3.5M

2022

3.6M

2023

3.8M

2024

4.0M

2025

4.8M

2026

Dubai population by year, 2008 to 2026. Source: Dubai Statistics Centre, via fäm Properties.
Dubai population by year, 2008 to 2026. Source: Dubai Statistics Centre, via fäm Properties.
YearPopulationChange
20081.6M—
20091.7M7.56%
20101.9M7.61%
20112.0M5.7%
20122.1M5.14%
20132.2M5.1%
20142.3M5.15%
20152.4M5.15%
20162.6M8.94%
20172.9M10.37%
20183.1M7.84%
20193.3M6.14%
20203.4M2.3%
20213.5M1.39%
20223.5M2.37%
20233.6M2.73%
20243.8M5.03%
20254.0M5.46%
20264.8M19.65%

Dubai Population 2026: Live Statistics, Growth Trends & Insights

Dubai's population reached 4,808,768 in September 2026, compared with 4,019,195 in September 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of approximately 19.6%. The emirate added around 789,573 residents in 12 months, highlighting Dubai's continued population growth and its strong appeal to residents, professionals, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Dubai's population growth is closely linked to its expanding economy, international business environment, tourism sector, employment opportunities, and continued development of residential and commercial communities. The emirate's diverse population includes people from a wide range of nationalities, contributing to its position as one of the world's most internationally connected cities.

Population growth also has a direct impact on Dubai's real estate market. As more people move to the emirate, demand for apartments, villas, rental properties, schools, healthcare facilities, retail destinations, and community infrastructure continues to evolve. Areas such as Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Business Bay, Dubai South, and emerging communities across Dubailand are attracting different segments of residents based on lifestyle, affordability, accessibility, and proximity to employment hubs.

The continued increase in Dubai's population provides important insights into housing demand, real estate investment, infrastructure planning, and future community development. Tracking monthly and yearly population figures can therefore help property buyers, investors, developers, and businesses better understand the changing dynamics of Dubai's market.

Buying where the people are going?

Population growth lands in particular communities, not evenly. A broker can tell you which ones are absorbing it.

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