Chinese investors are increasingly targeting the UAE and Middle East real estate markets as their home market faces stagnation. Experts at the 2025 Middle East Real Estate Investment Summit Forum highlighted the UAE’s appeal as a regional hub with robust economic growth, strong property demand, and rising price trends.

According to Ding Zuyu, chairman of China Real Estate Information Corp. (CRIC), international investors should evaluate real estate markets based on economic growth prospects and housing supply-demand dynamics. The UAE, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, stands out as a leader in the Middle East for these criteria.

Key Market Highlights

• Abu Dhabi: Real estate transaction value surged 39% year-on-year in H1 2025 to USD 14 billion, while residential sales rose 30% to AED 21.8 billion (USD 5.9 billion).

• Dubai: Recorded a 22% increase in transactions to 98,726 and a 40% rise in transaction value to AED 326.9 billion (USD 88.9 billion). High-end rental yields reached 5.3%, ranking second globally.

• UAE Economy: The non-oil sector contributed 75.5% of GDP in 2024, with government initiatives including Golden Visas, foreign ownership permits, and growth of the Abu Dhabi International Financial Center, which hosts nearly 3,000 companies.

Chinese Investment Trends

• Purchases by Chinese buyers have quadrupled in the past three years, reaching USD 450 million in 2024.

• The share of overseas buyers for Aldar rose to 78% in 2024 from 21% in 2021.

• Chinese investors are drawn to Abu Dhabi’s integrated lifestyle offerings, which combine culture, tourism, healthcare, education, and premium housing, providing both a comfortable living environment and stable cash flow for investors.

Investment Considerations
Experts advise that investors focus on:

• Stable economic growth and market expansion

• Rising property prices and reliable rental yields

• Regulatory clarity, transparency, and geopolitical stability, which may vary across regions

Conclusion
The UAE’s robust property market, coupled with government incentives and high-quality lifestyle developments, positions it as a prime destination for Chinese investors and other international buyers. With continued economic growth, strategic infrastructure, and luxury housing developments, the UAE real estate sector is set to remain an attractive global investment hub.