Dubai’s peak daytime population has reached 5.13 million in 2024, continuing its upward trend from 4.86 million in 2023 and 4.72 million in 2022. The data, released by the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment, reflects a growing influx of people commuting into the city each day.
This figure includes 3.86 million permanent residents and approximately 1.26 million daily commuters from neighboring emirates who travel to Dubai for work or other purposes.
Composition of the Resident Population
Dubai’s resident population is composed of both UAE nationals and expatriates. As of 2024, there are:
- 299,600 Emirati citizens
- 56 million non-citizen residents
The number of households has also increased. In 2024, 59,610 new households were added, raising the total to 771,200, compared to 711,590 in 2023 and 669,750 in 2022.
Future Projections
Over the past ten years, Dubai’s population has grown at an average annual rate of more than 6%, significantly outpacing the global growth rate of 1.1%. If this trend continues, the city’s daytime population is expected to reach 8 million by 2040.
This demographic expansion is closely tied to Dubai’s appeal as a global business hub, offering economic opportunities, political stability, and high-quality urban infrastructure.
Impact on Real Estate and Infrastructure
The growing population is driving increased demand for housing, transportation, and urban services. As new communities are built and infrastructure expands, Dubai continues to position itself as a city capable of managing rapid development while maintaining its global competitiveness.