Strategic planning elevates Sharjah to real estate powerhouse

SHARJAH, UAE – The year 2025 proved a landmark for Sharjah’s economic and urban landscape, with the emirate’s real estate sector achieving an unprecedented AED 65.6 billion ($17.8 billion) in transaction value, a remarkable 64.3 percent surge over 2024.

Far from being a temporary spike or numerical anomaly, these figures reflect a deep structural transformation within Sharjah’s property market and a significant elevation of the emirate’s position on both regional and international investment maps. Crucially, this growth aligns with wider strategic developments across the UAE’s key sectors, reflecting the leadership’s forward-looking vision and meticulous planning that balances robust economic growth with sustainable development.

The record-breaking activity is underpinned by 132,659 real estate transactions over the year, a 26.3 percent rise, signalling both a widening base of market participants and growing confidence in Sharjah as an investment destination. The emirate is increasingly attracting not only local investors but also international buyers seeking stable, high-return opportunities.

The surge in sales, with 33,580 transactions, up 38.4 percent, illustrates a shift in property demand patterns. Investors are no longer focused solely on short-term speculative gains; rather, growth is driven by genuine housing needs, rising rental yields, price stability and the diversity of available projects and financing options. Analysts interpret this as a maturing market, moving from quantitative expansion to qualitative consolidation.

At the heart of this success is Sharjah’s long-term leadership vision, realised through the guidance of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Federal Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, and supported by Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler and Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council. This vision has prioritised not only investment attraction but the creation of a balanced property ecosystem anchored in legislative stability, governance and regulatory flexibility to ensure sustainable growth and protect stakeholder rights.

“The exceptional growth achieved by Sharjah’s real estate sector in 2025 is the result of a clear leadership vision and long-term strategic planning,” said Abdulaziz Ahmed al-Shamsi, Director-General of the Sharjah Real Estate Registration Department.

“These efforts have established an integrated real estate ecosystem built on legislative stability and balanced development, providing a reliable and sustainable investment environment.”

This system integrates advanced infrastructure and high standards of living, strengthening Sharjah’s regional competitiveness. Mortgage activity also rose sharply, with AED 15.5 billion ($4.2 billion) in 6,300 mortgage transactions, a 45.1 percent increase, reflecting both the financial sector’s confidence in the emirate and the robustness of its creditworthiness and regulatory frameworks. Real estate has therefore evolved from a purely individual investment avenue to a key component of a wider financial ecosystem supporting overall economic growth.

Sharjah’s property market now attracts investors from 129 nationalities, trading over 60,000 properties during the year, underscoring the emirate’s transformation from a local or regional market into a globally-recognised real estate hub. Emirati nationals, however, remain central to the market, investing AED 33.8 billion ($9.2 billion) in over 41,000 properties, reflecting domestic confidence and highlighting that the sector serves both national development and social stability.

The variety of real estate transactions, from title deeds and preliminary sales contracts to valuations and registrations, indicates a fully integrated and efficient market system. Digital transformation, led by the Real Estate Registration Department, has accelerated procedures, enhanced accuracy, and improved transparency, significantly enhancing the investor experience and ease of conducting real estate business.

Sharjah’s property boom should be seen within the broader UAE context, where transformative changes across sectors, from the digital economy and renewable energy to tourism, logistics, and industry, are reshaping the national landscape. This holistic development reflects the UAE leadership’s vision of economic diversification, reducing oil dependence, and building a knowledge- and innovation-driven sustainable growth model.

The emirate’s emphasis on sustainable urban projects, smart city initiatives, and high quality of life demonstrates a shift in development philosophy. Growth is no longer about merely increasing housing and commercial units; it is about creating environmentally conscious, technologically advanced communities that balance economic expansion with resource preservation.