Ras Al Khaimah to add 25,600 new homes by 2030 as property boom accelerates

Ras Al Khaimah will add 25,600 new homes by 2030 as population growth, foreign investment and major infrastructure projects drive demand.

Ras Al Khaimah is set to deliver 25,600 new residential units by 2030 as rapid population growth, rising foreign investment and major infrastructure projects continue to fuel demand across the emirate’s property market, according to new research by Cavendish Maxwell.

Apartments will account for 97 per cent of future residential supply, with 170 homes delivered in the first quarter of 2026, a further 1,700 due this year and another 23,900 scheduled for completion by the end of the decade.

The busiest year for completions is expected to be 2029, when around 9,100 homes are due for handover.

Cavendish Maxwell said Ras Al Khaimah’s population currently stands at around 450,000 and is projected to reach 650,000 by 2030.

The consultancy said growing demand is being driven by population expansion, multi-billion-dirham foreign direct investment and increasing numbers of business licences.

Ras Al Khaimah real estate

Last year, the emirate attracted AED39bn ($10.62bn) in foreign direct investment across 17 projects, more than any other emirate in the UAE.

During the first quarter of 2026, economic licence capital increased 15.5 per cent year-on-year to AED11.5bn ($3.13bn).

Yousir Habib, Associate Director at Cavendish Maxwell Ras Al Khaimah, said: “RAK is undergoing major infrastructure investment in roads, aviation and maritime, strengthening regional connectivity and supporting the emirate’s 2030 economic diversification and competitiveness goals.

“As a result, the residential real estate sector secured AED12.3bn worth of sales across 6,600 transactions last year, when sales prices and rental rates jumped considerably. The market is now undergoing a sustained period of new supply.”

Off-plan market dominates Ras Al Khaimah

According to Cavendish Maxwell, off-plan sales accounted for 85 per cent of residential transactions last year, generating AED11.2bn ($3.05bn) in sales.

More than 40 per cent of the 25,600 homes scheduled for delivery by 2030 will be built by RAK Properties, Al Hamra Real Estate and Ellington Properties.

ALDAR, BNW Developments and Source of Fate Properties are also among the developers contributing to the emirate’s residential pipeline.

Between October 2025 and March 2026, apartment prices increased by almost 5 per cent, while villa prices rose by nearly 4 per cent.

Rental rates climbed by more than 6 per cent for apartments and 5 per cent for villas over the same six-month period.

Infrastructure expansion

Major infrastructure projects supporting the emirate’s growth include upgrades to the E11 Sheikh Mohammed bin Salem Road and E311 Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road, which are expected to reduce journey times between Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai by 45 per cent.

RAK International Airport is expanding with a new 30,000-square-metre passenger terminal, a VVIP terminal and an 8,000-square-metre hangar as it targets capacity of 3 million passengers a year by 2028.

Meanwhile, Saqr Port’s planned deep-water multi-purpose facility is designed to accommodate Capesize vessels measuring up to 290 metres and carrying as much as 400,000 tonnes of bulk cargo.

Office market also expands

Cavendish Maxwell’s research found office rental rates increased 8.6 per cent between the first quarter of 2025 and the first quarter of 2026, and 5.3 per cent between October 2025 and March 2026.

Future commercial supply includes 82,000 square metres of Grade A office space at RAK Central, while the Erisha Smart Manufacturing Hub at Al Ghail Industrial Park is expected to span 2.32 million square metres.