The UAE continues to stand out as one of the world’s most attractive destinations for real estate investment, despite recent regional challenges, according to a new global survey commissioned by Arada.
The UAE Property Investment Index, conducted by US-based Penta Group, ranked the country as the top global investment destination, with 56% of international investors expressing strong interest in its property market. This places the UAE ahead of the United States (54%), the United Kingdom (41%), France (28%), and Spain (27%).
The study, carried out between 1 and 23 April across 12 key markets and involving 689 experienced property investors, is among the first major analyses of global buyer sentiment toward the UAE real estate sector.
Findings show that awareness of UAE property opportunities is high, with 51% familiarity, comparable to the UK (51%) and the US (53%), reflecting the market’s growing global visibility.
The UAE’s appeal is especially strong among regional investors, with 91% of Indian investors, 92% of Egyptian investors, and 85% of Saudi investors naming it among their top three investment destinations.
In Europe, the UAE ranked as the leading choice outside investors’ home countries for 63% of French investors, 60% of German investors, and 57% of Swiss investors, highlighting its strong international competitiveness.
Globally, return on investment remains the primary driver, cited by 38% of respondents. This factor is particularly important for Australian (57%), Spanish (56%), and British (41%) investors. Meanwhile, safety and stability were key considerations for Chinese (65%) and German (58%) investors, reinforcing the UAE’s reputation for security, strong governance, and transparent property regulations.
Ease of purchase and ownership was also highlighted by 34% of respondents overall, rising significantly among regional investors such as Saudis (57%) and Egyptians (41%), further underscoring the UAE’s investor-friendly environment.
According to Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, the results reflect strong alignment between investor sentiment and market performance, driven by the UAE’s regulatory maturity, economic stability, and proven resilience across global cycles.
He added that the UAE has consistently demonstrated adaptability during global disruptions, strengthening its position as a reliable and responsive investment hub.
Overall, the findings reinforce the UAE’s global standing as a market driven by key investor priorities including strong returns, stability, tax efficiency, and ease of access.
The report also comes amid continued large-scale infrastructure investment in the UAE, including projects such as the AED 34 billion Dubai Metro Gold Line, the planned commercial air taxi network, and the AED 6 billion Fourth Federal Corridor aimed at improving connectivity across the country.
For Arada, which manages a global development pipeline exceeding AED 130 billion, the findings further validate both the strength of the UAE property market and its strategy of expanding into high-growth international destinations.
