Dubai Population Growth The metropolitan population of Dubai in 2025 is estimated at approximately 3,095,000, reflecting a 1.44% increase from 2024 (~3,051,000). Rapid growth in Q1 2025: Over 51,000 new residents were added in the first quarter alone, bringing the total population to around 3.914 million, and is expected to exceed 4 million by Q3.

Growth Drivers & Impacts:
The growth is mainly fueled by an influx of expatriate professionals and investors, leading to:
Increased housing demand
Traffic congestion
Pressure on school capacity
Crowding in shopping malls and public facilities

Tourism Market Growth
Full Year 2024:
Dubai welcomed 18.7 million international tourists, a 9% increase compared to the previous year.
Strong Q1 2025 Performance:
5.31 million international visitors in Q1 2025, up 3% year-over-year.
In January 2025 alone, there were 1.94 million overnight stays, a 9% increase compared to January 2024.
Total guest nights in Q1 reached 22.3 million, growing 6% year-over-year. (Source: Dubai DET)

Economic Contribution:
The UAE tourism sector is projected to contribute AED 267.5 billion to GDP in 2025 (around 13% of GDP).
International tourist spending is expected to reach AED 228.5 billion, a 37% increase from 2019. (Source: WTTC)

Key Source Markets:
Western Europe: ~20–22%/Eastern Europe/CIS: ~14–17%/South Asia: ~14–17%/GCC region: ~15%

Airport Passenger Traffic:
Dubai International Airport handled 23.4 million passengers in Q1 2025, a 1.5% year-over-year increase, with total annual traffic expected to reach approximately 96 million passengers. (Source: Reuters)

Overall Summary
Category Key Figures
Population 2025: ~3.095 million → Q1: 3.914 million → Q3: over 4 million Tourism Volume 18.7 million in 2024; 5.31 million in Q1 2025 (+3% YoY) Economic Impact Tourism GDP AED 267.5 billion; Tourist spending AED 228.5 billion

Conclusion
Dubai continues to strengthen its position as a global business and tourism hub. Robust growth in both population and tourism is driving rapid expansion in real estate, infrastructure, retail, and hospitality markets.