Dubai has emerged as the preferred city for long-term investment among UAE residents, with 84% choosing the emirate over global cities such as London, New York and Singapore, a new survey by PRYPCO and Ipsos has found.
Dubai leads global cities for investment
The survey found that 84% of respondents consider Dubai the city offering the strongest long-term investment opportunities.
London received 3% of votes, while New York and Singapore each secured 5%.
The preference was also clear when residents were asked where they would invest Dhs 1 million today. Around 76% chose Dubai, compared with just 2% each for London, New York and Singapore.
The findings also showed that 89% of respondents believe Dubai offers better opportunities to build long-term wealth than their country of origin.
Safety tops reasons to invest in Dubai
Safety and security emerged as the biggest reason residents consider Dubai an attractive investment destination.
Around 71% of respondents ranked safety as their top reason for investing in the emirate.
The strength of the property market was another major factor, cited by 40%, while 36% pointed to business opportunities.
Dubai’s investment appeal has also increased in recent years, with 86% saying the city has become more attractive as an investment destination over the past five years.
Additionally, nine in 10 respondents said they were optimistic about Dubai’s economic outlook over the next five years.
More UAE residents consider property investment
The survey found that interest in investing remains strong among residents who have yet to enter the market.
Around 80% of this group said they would consider investing within the next three years.
However, affordability remains a challenge. Some 62% said they did not yet have enough savings to invest.
When asked what would encourage them to invest, 41% pointed to more affordable investment options, while 38% said better financing opportunities would help.
Dubai property market adds new homes
The findings come as Dubai continues to expand its residential property supply.
According to the Dubai Land Department, 104 real estate projects worth more than Dhs 111 billion were completed during the first half of 2026.
This represented a 52% increase compared with the same period last year and added more than 24,500 residential units to the market.
Essa Ibrahim, Co-founder and President of PRYPCO, said: “What these findings tell us is that Dubai has built something far more valuable than a competitive investment environment. It has built long-term confidence. Under the vision and leadership of Dubai’s government, initiatives such as the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan are helping shape a city where people don’t just come to live and work but choose to build their future. Safety, stability and quality of life are central to that confidence, and we’re seeing these factors increasingly influence long-term investment decisions.”
Fractional property investment offers another option
The research also highlights growing interest in more affordable ways to enter Dubai’s property market.
One option mentioned in the study is fractional property ownership through PRYPCO Blocks, a DFSA-regulated platform that allows investors to purchase a share of a property starting from Dhs 500 and receive a corresponding share of rental income.
The model offers an alternative for residents who want property exposure but may not yet have enough savings to purchase an entire home.
Overall, the survey points to strong confidence in Dubai as a long-term investment destination, with safety, property opportunities and economic optimism among the main factors influencing residents’ decisions.
