The Middle East is witnessing an extraordinary rise in both high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs), with the UAE positioned as a sought-after destination for affluent investors.
As revealed in the latest Private Capital Report by Knight Frank, a prominent global property consultancy, the count of dollar millionaires in the UAE has nearly doubled, increasing by around 98% over the past ten years. This remarkable growth has led to a substantial uptick in luxury property transactions, establishing Dubai as a prominent global luxury real estate market.
The report states that by December 2024, the UAE is home to roughly 130,500 dollar millionaires, ranking it as the 14th-largest wealth market on a global scale. This swift rise is bolstered by strategic economic policies, ambitious national aspirations, and a stable political climate that consistently draws international investors. Notably, the influx of millionaires has accelerated in recent years, with 7,200 new dollar millionaires arriving in 2024 alone—a notable increase from 4,700 in 2023 and 5,200 in 2022. Data from Henley & Partners reveals that these newcomers are attracted by the country’s favorable tax environment, opulent lifestyle, and visionary governance.
Primarily, the new millionaires are from India (31%), followed by individuals from the Middle East (20%), Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) (14%), and the UK and Europe (12%). This variety in origins emphasizes the UAE’s role as a global focal point for wealth migration, particularly amid political and economic instabilities that urge wealthy individuals to seek more stable and secure destinations for their investments.
The significant influx of wealth is prominently reflected in Dubai’s residential real estate industry. The city has now outperformed traditional luxury markets like London and New York in the ultra-luxury sector, especially concerning properties priced at $10 million or more. In the preceding year, Dubai recorded 435 such transactions—surpassing the 434 recorded in 2023—with the closing quarter of 2024 alone witnessing 153 sales, setting a new record for quarterly high-value transactions.
In the first quarter of 2025, the market continued to gain momentum, with 111 properties sold for over $10 million, marking the highest Q1 ever recorded. This represents a 5.7% increase compared to the same timeframe last year, indicating that Dubai’s luxury property sector is poised for another record-setting year.
Faisal Durrani, a partner and head of Research for Mena at Knight Frank, noted, “Dubai’s luxury residential market keeps breaking barriers. The international demand is extraordinarily robust, with the city positioning itself as the leading destination for ultra-luxury real estate globally.”
The Palm Jumeirah retains its status as Dubai’s most desired ultra-luxury address, with 34 transactions totaling $562.8 million recorded during Q1 2025. Emirates Hills follows closely with 15 sales amounting to $356.7 million. The community also registered the most expensive deal of the quarter—a six-bedroom villa sold for $106.3 million in January, which was originally bought for a mere $6.6 million in 2015, showcasing a remarkable 1,635% appreciation, averaging nearly 34.6% annually.
Dubai’s high-end market continues to attract global UHNWIs. In Q1 2025, twelve transactions surpassed $25 million, slightly fewer than the 15 recorded in the prior quarter. These figures illustrate a sustained interest in unique and luxurious homes, maintaining high demand despite limited availability.
However, demand surpasses supply, particularly in the ultra-luxury segment. The introduction of new villas at the highest price points has decreased significantly. In 2023, virtually no new villas were launched in the Dh5,000-plus psf category, and in 2024, only 16 villas entered the market in this range. Meanwhile, the supply in the Dh2,000-3,000 psf tier, which includes many prime properties, declined by 57% year-on-year, while the Dh3,000-5,000 psf segment fell by 39%.
Nicholas Spencer, a partner at Knight Frank, commented, “Dubai has solidified its reputation as a prime destination for HNWIs searching for both residences and investment avenues. Our research indicates that global HNWIs have designated around $4.4 billion for investment in Dubai’s residential sector, reflecting a 76% increase from 2023.”
Overall, Dubai’s residential market remains strong, with transaction volumes nearing 170,000 deals in 2024, valued at about $115 billion. Notably, properties priced at US$10 million or more constituted around 6% of the total sales value, underscoring the significance of the high-end market.
Wealth levels greatly influence purchasing behaviors. For instance, 78% of individuals with personal wealth exceeding $15 million express interest in Dubai properties, with the average purchasing budget among GCC-based HNWIs at $3.1 million. Among ultra-wealthy investors, 25% are open to spending between $60 million and $80 million on a Dubai residence, while 16% are considering purchases over $80 million.
In addition to market trends, Knight Frank emphasizes the increasing significance of family offices in the region. These entities, which manage wealth across generations, are increasingly drawn to Dubai and Abu Dhabi due to their advanced legal frameworks and favorable regulations. Buthainah Albaity, a Partner and Head of Private Capital and Family Enterprises for Mena, stated that the competition amongst regional countries to attract these offices is intense, recognizing their potential to promote long-term investment, innovation, and economic stability.
With estimates suggesting that approximately $84 trillion will change hands between generations globally over the next twenty years, the Middle East is already undergoing a substantial wealth transfer. In Saudi Arabia, many family-owned businesses are transitioning from second to third-generation leadership, with Dubai and Abu Dhabi becoming favored locations for creating trusts and managing cross-border assets.
Beyond the UAE, other Middle Eastern markets are also displaying signs of growth. In Saudi Arabia, there is significant interest in residential properties, particularly in the sacred cities of Makkah and Madinah. Knight Frank’s research indicates that around US$2 billion of potential investment is being contemplated by HNWIs from nine Muslim-majority nations, primarily for primary residences in these significant cities.
Qatar’s real estate market is also gaining traction, with $537.5 million in private capital actively seeking residential investments, out of an estimated $3.2 billion in sales projected for 2024. Meanwhile, Egypt’s real estate sector continues to attract attention from GCC investors, particularly for residential properties, branded residences, and retail sectors.