Sharjah Real Estate Soars with AED 27 Billion in Transactions, Up 48.1% in H1

Sharjah's Real Estate Boom: 48% Growth Signals UAE's Investment Diversification Beyond Dubai

Sharjah's real estate market has emerged as a major beneficiary of the UAE's economic diversification strategy, recording AED 27 billion in transactions during the first half of 2025—a remarkable 48.1% increase from the same period last year. This surge positions the emirate as a compelling alternative to Dubai's premium market, attracting investors from 109 nationalities seeking value and growth potential in the UAE's third-largest emirate.

Record-Breaking Performance Reflects Strategic Positioning

The emirate's Real Estate Registration Department processed 48,060 transactions in the first six months of 2025, up 3.3% from 46,520 transactions in the corresponding period of 2024. While transaction volume growth appears modest, the dramatic 48% increase in transaction value indicates a significant shift toward higher-value properties and premium developments.

This performance places Sharjah among the fastest-growing real estate markets in the Gulf region, competing directly with established hubs like Dubai and Abu Dhabi while offering more accessible entry points for international investors.

Sales Transactions Drive Market Momentum

Sales transactions alone reached 15,686 deals worth AED 21.1 billion, spanning 214 districts across 90 million square feet. This geographic diversity demonstrates Sharjah's success in developing multiple investment corridors rather than concentrating growth in a single area—a strategy that reduces market risk and appeals to different investor segments.

Mortgage transactions totaled 2,582 deals valued at nearly AED 5.7 billion, indicating robust financing partnerships between real estate developers and financial institutions. This healthy mortgage activity suggests sustainable demand rather than speculative cash-driven purchases that characterized previous regional property bubbles.

Policy Reforms Fuel International Investment

Sharjah's Executive Council implemented strategic fee reductions that directly contributed to market acceleration. The new structure charges 0.5% fees to real estate developers, 1% to UAE nationals and GCC citizens, and 2% to other nationalities—significantly lower than many competing markets.

These reforms mirror successful strategies employed by Singapore and Hong Kong in attracting foreign investment while maintaining preferential treatment for regional investors. The tiered fee structure creates competitive advantages without completely eliminating revenue generation for government coffers.

January 2025: A Watershed Month

January 2025 emerged as the standout month, generating nearly AED 7 billion in transactions through 11,116 deals covering 10.4 million square feet. This exceptional performance coincided with the Sharjah Real Estate Exhibition "ACRES 2025," which alone generated AED 4.3 billion in property deals.

The exhibition's success demonstrates Sharjah's growing reputation as a serious real estate destination capable of attracting major developers and international buyers. Unlike Dubai's focus on luxury and record-breaking projects, Sharjah appears to be positioning itself as the practical choice for investors seeking steady returns and growth potential.

Market Implications and Regional Context

Sharjah's 48.1% growth significantly outpaces most global real estate markets and positions it as a key beneficiary of the UAE's continued economic expansion. The emirate's success reflects broader trends in the Gulf region, where governments are actively diversifying away from oil dependence and creating attractive investment environments.

For investors, Sharjah represents a compelling value proposition compared to Dubai's premium pricing and Abu Dhabi's government-focused development. The emirate offers similar infrastructure and business environment benefits while maintaining more accessible price points for middle-market investors.

For the UAE economy, Sharjah's growth demonstrates successful inter-emirate competition and specialization. Rather than simply competing with Dubai on luxury, Sharjah has carved out its own niche focusing on cultural heritage, family-friendly development, and business-friendly policies.

Sustainability and Future Outlook

The presence of investors from 109 nationalities indicates genuine international confidence rather than regional speculation. This diversity provides market stability and reduces dependence on any single source country—a crucial factor given global economic uncertainties.

Sharjah's emphasis on transparency, integrated development, and sustainable growth practices positions it well for continued expansion. The emirate's leadership has clearly learned from previous regional property cycles, focusing on sustainable development rather than speculative construction.

With mortgage activity supporting sales growth and government policies actively encouraging investment, Sharjah appears well-positioned to maintain its growth trajectory throughout 2025 and establish itself as a permanent fixture in regional real estate investment strategies.