Dubai's Peak-Time Population Hits 5.13 Million; 59,600 New Households Added in 2024
Data from the Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment revealed that the number of active individuals in the emirate during peak times reached 5.13 million by the end of last year. This figure includes 3,863,600 permanent residents and 1,266,400 non-residents who work in Dubai but live outside its borders.
Resident Breakdown
Among the permanent residents, 3,564,000 were non-citizens, while 299,600 were Emirati citizens. The number of UAE nationals living in Dubai increased by 2.5% compared to 292,200 in 2023.
Household Growth
Dubai recorded the addition of 59,610 new households in 2024, marking an 8.38% increase from the previous year. The total number of households reached 771,200, up from 711,590 in 2023.
Average Household Size & Residential Communities
The average household size remained steady at 4 persons per household. The number of residential communities in the emirate also grew, with 7 new communities added in 2024, bringing the total to 2,260, compared to 2,253 in 2023. These communities housed 841,600 people at the end of the year.
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Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Vertical farming in the UAE: Fresh, clean, and grown by code
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As told to BTR magazine, both UNS Vertical Farms and Pure Harvest Smart Farms are reshaping how the UAE thinks about agriculture and food doesn't have to grow from the ground anymore — sometimes, it grows from innovation. And somehow — it tastes even better. Less water, more yield Ask anyone in agriculture and they'll tell you: water is everything. Which is precisely why the 90% reduction in water usage by vertical farms feels like a game changer — especially in a place like the UAE, where every drop counts. 'At UNS Farms, we run a closed-loop hydroponic system,' says Mehlam Murtaza, Executive Director at UNS Vertical Farms. 'That means water isn't lost to the soil or evaporated — it's recycled and reused. We deliver exactly what the plant needs, directly to the roots. No more, no less.' Instead of sprawling fields, UNS builds up — using vertical racks that multiply their yield per square meter. Combine that with a climate-controlled environment and you get high-output farming that's unaffected by the region's sweltering heat or unreliable rainfall. 'We've essentially engineered a micro-climate inside our farms,' Murtaza adds. 'It's about growing smarter, not just harder.' A farm without pesticides Walk through a UNS facility or Pure Harvest greenhouse, and you'll notice something odd: no chemicals. Zero. Not even the so-called 'safe' ones. For both companies, removing pesticides isn't just a marketing angle — it's a pillar of their sustainability ethos. 'We operate like we're guarding a castle,' says Sky Kurtz, CEO and Founder of Pure Harvest Smart Farms. 'Our climate-controlled, closed-loop system keeps pests out. And if something does get in, we don't reach for chemicals — we bring in beneficial insects or other natural interventions.' Pure Harvest leans into integrated pest management (IPM), a method that prioritizes balance over eradication. In short, it's about working with nature rather than against it. UNS, meanwhile, takes a similarly holistic route. 'It's about early detection, sanitation, and rotating crops regularly,' says Murtaza. 'When you have full control over your growing environment, you don't need to rely on chemicals. And that's better for the planet — and for people.' Both companies back their methods with international certifications, like HACCP and ISO 22000:2018, reassuring consumers that 'chemical-free' doesn't mean 'risky.' In fact, it means the opposite. Farms in malls, not fields There's something captivating about watching lettuce grow in the middle of a luxury mall or seeing a vertical herb garden inside a five-star hotel. It's not just for show. For UNS, these collaborations are part of a larger mission: making farming visible, accessible, and even stylish. 'When we bring vertical farms into public spaces, it changes the way people think about agriculture,' Murtaza explains. 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'Consumers are now willing to pay a bit more for food that's not only good for them but good for the planet,' Kurtz says. 'There's a real hunger — pun intended — for climate-conscious, zero-mile produce.' According to him, tomatoes, leafy greens, and strawberries are leading the demand for clean, local, pesticide-free food. These are everyday staples — proof that sustainability isn't just for specialty items anymore. 'We're not just selling produce,' Kurtz adds. 'We're selling trust.' Tech at the root At the heart of this movement is technology. From moisture sensors to automated nutrient dosing systems, both UNS and Pure Harvest rely heavily on smart tools to keep their farms efficient and scalable. 'Automation reduces human error and ensures consistency,' Kurtz says. 'But more importantly, it helps us grow the same quality of produce year-round, even in the brutal heat of August.' IoT systems monitor everything — light levels, humidity, nutrient balance, CO2 levels — and make minute adjustments in real time. This allows farms to optimise every input while producing 10–15 times more food per square metre than conventional farms. Kurtz calls this approach 'veridical farming'— not just vertical, but truthful. 'We don't make vague claims,' he says. 'We show the numbers. That's what our customers, our partners, and our investors want.' A national priority The UAE isn't just watching from the sidelines — it's actively supporting this new wave of agriculture. With food security ranked as a top national priority, and a goal to reduce dependence on imports, innovations in vertical and hydroponic farming fit neatly into the government's broader vision. Controlled-environment agriculture (CEA) is seen as a long-term solution to climate stress, population growth, and unpredictable global food supply chains. 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It's farming tailor-made for the desert. Pesticide-free, planet-friendly No sprays, no chemicals. Just clean produce grown in sealed, climate-controlled environments. Farming without sunlight LEDs mimic daylight so precisely, plants don't miss the sun — and they thrive indoors, 24/7. Lettuce in the lobby? Yes, please. UNS puts vertical farms in malls and hotels. It's fresh, flashy, and fabulously futuristic. QR codes tell all Scan your salad — Pure Harvest lets you trace every tomato to its tech-savvy roots. Farming on auto-pilot AI, sensors, and smart climate tools run the show — ensuring perfect crops every single day. No bugs, no drama Natural pest control and integrated systems mean no creepy crawlies — and no harsh fixes. Certified clean HACCP, ISO, and Global GAP certifications mean safe food that's as trustworthy as it is tasty. Rooted in national strategy The UAE is investing big in smart farms to feed its future — no imports, just innovation.
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The answer will determine how far and how smart, secure, and geen the Gulf travels on the path to economic leadership. The writer is the CEO at Neptune P2P Group.
Arabian Business
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- Arabian Business
UAE student rules; Dubai road projects; Inside the Wynn Al Marjan resort; Dubai real estate analysis 10 things
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The 50,000 sq. ft. property – encompassing both the Wynn and Encore resort, although different, seamlessly operates as one with a total of 4,500 rooms. Dubai real estate: Villa, townhouse prices soar 92% in three years as property market booms Dubai Land Department (DLD) recorded AED 54 billion in property sales transactions across Dubai in May, representing an 11 per cent increase from the previous month, a new report finds. Villa and townhouse prices have increased by 92 per cent since May 2022, rising from AED3,475,523 to AED6,682,023 over three years, Allsopp & Allsopp said in an emailed statement. These properties saw a 35 per cent price increase within the last year alone across villa and townhouse communities, according to DLD data. Abu Dhabi real estate: Aldar announces $10.9bn Fahid Island development with plan for 6,000 homes Aldar unveiled the masterplan for Fahid Island in Abu Dhabi, which has an 11km coastline and a gross development value of more than AED40bn ($10.9bn). 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The data reveals that last month's total of 18,693 transactions also made it the second best-selling month on record in terms of volume. Fäm Properties CEO Firas Al Msaddi said the data from DXBinteract underlines the strength and stability of a market which is evolving, without any broad threat of oversupply in the residential sector, but now facing an undersupply of office space. Ajman announces $272m port investment Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman and Chairman of the Executive Council, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Port and Customs Ajman (DPC), and Hutchison Ports, a global port investor, developer and operator, for the expansion and development of Ajman Port's infrastructure with a joint investment worth AED1bn ($272m). Under the MoU, a development plan will be drawn up for Ajman Port in accordance with the best global practices. Dubai student boom as 29% surge in international enrolment signals new global education hotspot With new universities, a major rise in foreign students, and world-class infrastructure, Dubai is rewriting the rules on global higher education. Dubai is making bold moves on the world stage — not just in finance or real estate, but now as a rising education superpower. Latest data from Dubai's Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) reveals a 29 per cent spike in international student enrolment, with more than 42,000 students now studying across 41 licensed institutions. Four new international campuses opened this year alone. Dubai real estate market stabilising; investors confident in long-term growth The Dubai real estate market is entering a healthy 'stabilisation phase' and investors are confident in long-term projects, according to brokerage and developer Asico. Following a period of remarkable growth where residential property prices surged by approximately 60 per cent between 2022 and early 2025, driven by strong international investor interest, the market is now entering a phase of stabilisation in 2025, said Asico.
