UAE Ranks as Top Real Estate Investment Destination in Global Survey Conducted by Arada

The United Arab Emirates has ranked as the top real estate investment destination globally, outpacing the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Spain, according to new research commissioned by Arada and released May 21, 2026.

Arada's UAE Property Investment Index, which was conducted by US-based Penta Group, found that 56% of global investors expressed serious interest in the UAE's property market — more than any other market surveyed. The United States followed at 54%, with the United Kingdom at 41%, France at 28%, and Spain at 27%.

About the Survey

The survey was conducted between April 1 and April 23 across 12 key markets, polling 689 established property investors. According to Arada, it is the first major research effort into international buyer sentiment about the UAE real estate market since a regional conflict began on February 28.

Familiarity with UAE real estate opportunities, at 51%, was found to be on par with that of the United Kingdom and United States, at 51% and 53% respectively, according to the index's findings.

Regional and European Investor Sentiment

The UAE's appeal was particularly pronounced among investors in nearby markets. The survey found that 91% of Indian investors, 92% of Egyptian investors, and 85% of Saudi investors cited the UAE as a top-three investment destination.

Among European investors, the UAE was the top choice outside the home country for French investors at 63%, German investors at 60%, and Swiss investors at 57%.

Key Investment Drivers Identified

Strong potential returns ranked as the primary investment driver globally, cited by 38% of respondents. Australian investors led this category at 57%, followed by Spanish investors at 56% and British investors at 41%.

Safety and stability emerged as the defining factor for Chinese investors, at 65%, and German investors, at 58%. Ease of purchase and ownership was cited by 34% of respondents overall, rising to 57% among Saudi investors and 41% among Egyptian investors.

Ahmed Alkhoshaibi, Group CEO of Arada, commented on the findings: "These findings confirm what we have observed in our own sales performance – that despite recent headwinds international investors recognise the UAE's structural advantages in regulatory maturity, track record of performance, and stable economic fundamentals. Continued adaptation has been key to the UAE's rise as a global investment destination – whether it's the pandemic or the financial crisis, this country has demonstrated time and again that it adjusts fast and better than anywhere else in the world."

Infrastructure Investment and Market Context

The publication of the research coincides with a series of announced infrastructure investments in the UAE, including the AED34 billion Dubai Metro Gold Line, the world's first commercial air taxi network, and the AED6 billion Fourth Federal Corridor, which is intended to reduce congestion between Emirates and improve connectivity across the country.

Arada noted that its global project pipeline exceeds AED130 billion and that the survey results validate its strategy of expanding into markets including the United Kingdom and Australia.

Sources

Arada — UAE ranks as one of the world's most sought-after real estate investment destinations, new research reveals (May 21, 2026)