Dubai population rebounds after dropping by 61,000 at height of Iran war
Dubai's population has rebounded since the start of the Iran war, with 157,000 more people living in the emirate compared with the start of the year. Official figures show the population dipped by about 61,000 at the height of the Iran war in March. That put the total at 4.65 million, representing a 1.3 per cent drop. But by the end of June, the population figure had rallied to 4.74 million, with…
Dubai's population has rebounded since the start of the Iran war, with over 157,000 more residents compared to the beginning of the year. Official figures show the population dipped by around 61,000 in March, during the peak of the conflict, totaling 4.65 million. However, by the end of June, the population had risen to 4.74 million, gaining almost 40,000 new residents that month. July saw minimal change, with a decline of only 376.
Dubai's annual population growth has ranged between 6 and 7 percent since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. The emirate's growth peaked in 2023, reaching 4.58 million, a 7.5 percent increase from the previous year. Abu Dhabi's 2025 figures are yet to be released, but in 2024, it saw a 7.5 percent growth, according to the Statistics Centre Abu Dhabi. Dubai's highest growth rate was recorded in 1980, at 8.2 percent.
The Dubai Population Now platform, approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, measured the latest population figures. This population census and growth-monitoring initiative utilizes administrative records, smart systems, and real-time data. Younus Al Nasser, CEO of the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, highlighted that population growth monitoring in Dubai offers a real-time insight into the emirate's dynamism, economic vitality, and sustained momentum across all sectors.
Experts predict that Dubai's population will grow by 2 percent this year. Savills, a real estate consultancy, anticipates the Dubai property market entering a period of normalization after years of rapid growth. Buyer's market conditions are emerging, as new supply has outpaced demand, providing renters and buyers with more negotiation power and options, thus stabilizing or lowering costs.
Despite regional tensions, Dubai's housing market has cooled, with new residential units completion hitting a high of 27,300 in the most recent quarter. While activity remains in the sector, it will take time for growth to return to previous levels.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
