Dubai Rental Market A Global City with 200+ Nationalities

Rental Market Driven by Community, Culture, and Over 200 Nationalities Living in the City

Dubai, UAE, 20th November 2025: Dubai’s position as a truly global city, where people from all backgrounds live and work, has been highlighted in a new market report released today.

The report by fäm Properties shows Dubai as a city made up of many smaller communities, with the rental market divided to suit different nationalities. This allows residents to choose areas that match their culture, budget, and daily needs.

Data from DXBinteract reveals clear patterns in tenant demographics. For example, Al Warsan First and Jebel Ali First have mostly South Asian tenants. In Al Warsan First, 34% of tenants are Indian, 25% Pakistani, and 10% Chinese. In Jebel Ali First, 52% are Indian, with 12% from the Philippines.

On the other hand, areas like Jumeirah First, Al Wasl, and Dubai Creek Harbour have more European residents. Jumeirah First has 18% Russian tenants, with UK, France, Germany, and Italy making up another 34%. In Al Wasl, 15% of renters are from the UK, 10% from France, and 10% from Russia. At Dubai Creek Harbour, Russia accounts for 11%, the UK 10%, and France 9%.

Overall, Indian and British nationals are the largest tenant groups in Dubai, which is home to 203 nationalities. Indians are the top nationality in five out of ten key areas: Al Warsan First, Jebel Ali First, JVC, Al Barsha Fourth, Business Bay, and Jebel Ali First. British tenants rank in the top five in eight of the ten areas, leading in Al Yelayiss 1 with 26% of tenants.

Among Arab expatriates, Lebanese and Egyptians are the largest groups. Lebanese feature in the top five nationalities in five areas, including Business Bay, JVC, and Al Barsha Fourth, while Egyptians are prominent in four areas, including JVC, Al Barsha South Fourth, and Jebel Ali First.

“Another interesting finding is the size of the ‘Others’ category,” said Firas Al Msaddi, CEO of fäm Properties. “In areas like Business Bay (40%), Dubai Creek Harbour (42%), and Al Wasl (40%), this group is the largest single segment. This shows how diverse and global Dubai really is.”

“The data confirms that while certain nationalities live in clusters, Dubai as a whole is made up of many international communities. The rental market is about more than prices—it’s about culture, community, and how over 200 nationalities call this city home.”

Dubai Rental Market Tenant Breakdown – 10 Key Areas

• Dubai Creek Harbour: Russia 11%, UK 10%, France 9%, Iran 6%, Germany 6%, India 4%, Ukraine 4%, Egypt 3%, Turkey 3%, Italy 3%, Others 42%
• Al Warsan First: India 34%, Pakistan 25%, China 10%, Bangladesh 7%, Philippines 5%, Egypt 4%, Syria 2%, UAE 2%, Sri Lanka 1%, Afghanistan 1%, Others 9%
• Al Wasl: UK 15%, France 10%, Russia 10%, Lebanon 5%, UAE 4%, USA 4%, Canada 4%, India 3%, Italy 3%, Germany 3%, Others 40%
• Nad Al Sheba First: UAE 11%, Lebanon 9%, UK 8%, France 6%, Jordan 6%, India 5%, Syria 4%, Canada 4%, Egypt 3%, Iran 3%, Others 40%
• JVC, Al Barsha South Fourth: India 12%, UK 11%, Egypt 8%, Lebanon 7%, Syria 5%, Pakistan 5%, Russia 4%, Jordan 4%, France 3%, Philippines 3%, Others 39%
• Jumeirah First: Russia 18%, UK 13%, France 9%, Germany 7%, Italy 5%, Turkey 4%, Ukraine 3%, USA 2%, India 2%, Australia 2%, Others 36%
• Business Bay: India 18%, Iran 7%, UK 7%, Lebanon 6%, Russia 5%, France 5%, Egypt 4%, Italy 3%, Pakistan 2%, Canada 2%, Others 40%
• Jebel Ali First: India 52%, Philippines 12%, Pakistan 4%, UK 3%, Egypt 3%, Russia 3%, Sri Lanka 2%, Lebanon 2%, Jordan 2%, Syria 1%, Others 16%
• Al Yelayiss 1: UK 26%, Egypt 15%, Lebanon 7%, South Africa 6%, Jordan 6%, India 4%, Canada 3%, USA 2%, France 2%, Germany 2%, Pakistan 2%, Others 25%
• Al Jadaf: India 16%, Egypt 9%, Iran 7%, Lebanon 5%, Pakistan 5%, UK 4%, Jordan 4%, Syria 4%, UAE 3%, Russia 3%, Others 41%