Dubai has once again secured its place as the world’s most active super-prime residential market, according to Knight Frank’s latest Global Super-Prime Intelligence Report. In the second quarter of 2025, the emirate maintained its global lead in homes priced above $10 million, outpacing long-established luxury hubs like New York, London, and Hong Kong.
Global Surge in Ultra-Luxury Transactions
Despite a complex global economic climate, the appetite for high-end real estate remains strong. The total number of global super-prime transactions rose 19% year-on-year to 590 deals in Q2 2025, up from 497 in the same quarter last year.
The overall transaction value jumped by 33%, reaching $11.8 billion compared to $8.9 billion a year earlier, reflecting the resilience of ultra-high-net-worth demand worldwide.
Dubai’s Unique Investment Magnetism
Dubai’s dominance in luxury property stems from a powerful combination of investor-friendly regulations, tax advantages, world-class infrastructure, and an exceptional lifestyle. Its property market continues to attract global investors seeking a secure, high-yield environment for capital preservation and growth.
Liam Bailey, Global Head of Research at Knight Frank, stated that “Dubai’s position as the world’s leading super-prime market is now firmly established,” underscoring the city’s maturity as a global wealth hub capable of drawing sustained investment regardless of broader market cycles.
Global Competitors on the Rise
While Dubai led in transaction count, New York regained first place in total transaction value, driven by robust condominium and townhouse sales in Manhattan.
Los Angeles also showed its strongest quarterly results since early 2021, boosted by luxury home sales in Beverly Hills and Malibu. Hong Kong followed with a solid recovery in both sales volume and value, proving that demand for premium properties remains robust even amid economic headwinds.
Why Dubai Continues to Outperform
Analysts attribute Dubai’s sustained leadership to multiple long-term advantages — political stability, high safety standards, year-round sunshine, and attractive residency programs for entrepreneurs and expatriates.
In 2024, Knight Frank reported that Dubai accounted for nearly one in five global $10M+ property sales, with record deals across Palm Jumeirah, Emirates Hills, Jumeirah Bay Island, and Dubai Hills Estate. Some transactions even exceeded $100 million, placing Dubai alongside global icons like London’s Mayfair and New York’s Billionaires’ Row.
The Road Ahead for 2025
Experts expect the momentum to continue through the rest of 2025, supported by limited ultra-luxury supply and ongoing inflows of private capital from Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Developers are responding with new waves of branded residences, waterfront villas, and high-end penthouses designed for global elites — blending architectural excellence with privacy and concierge-style living.
Liam Bailey concluded that while global investors face shifting interest rates and geopolitical uncertainty, the super-prime sector’s resilience remains impressive. “Dubai holds its lead, but New York’s comeback and strong activity in Los Angeles and Hong Kong highlight the diversity of global demand,” he said.
With global wealth creation accelerating, Dubai continues to attract the world’s most affluent buyers — reaffirming its status as the beating heart of the world’s ultra-luxury property market.
