Residents in Dubai are staying in the city for longer periods, with the average length of tenure rising to 10.5 years in 2025, up from 7.5 years in 2024, according to betterhomes’ Future Living Report 2025.
The data shows that tenants reported an average residency of 6.7 years in 2024. This figure has climbed to 9.9 years in 2025. Tenants now expect to remain in Dubai for an average of 10.7 years, compared to 7 years in the previous year.
Nearly 60 per cent of residents now plan to stay in the city for more than a decade.
Nearly 60% of Dubai residents choose to stay over a decade, report reveals
“With 59 per cent of tenants committing to Dubai for the long term, it’s evident that people are planning their lives here with far greater confidence and clarity than we’ve seen before. This shift reflects Dubai’s continued appeal as a stable, liveable city for both families and professionals,” Louis Harding, CEO of betterhomes said in a statement.
The increase in both actual and expected length of stay indicates that tenants are setting roots in the city and aligning their lives around Dubai with greater certainty than in previous years.
“The growth in tenant residency is one of the clearest indicators of Dubai’s evolution. People are choosing to stay longer, not out of necessity, but because the city supports long-term living, stability, and progression,” Rupert Simmonds, Director of Leasing at betterhomes added.
The findings indicate that Dubai is no longer seen as a chapter for tenants, but as a destination where people are choosing to settle, plan, and grow.
The shift reflects a growing sense of permanence across both tenants and homeowners, as more people commit to building their lives in the city for the long term.
