A Closer Look: How will Dubai host a surging population?

In A Closer Look, The National offers an in-depth take on one of the main stories of the week.

Dubai's population is rising as every year more people head to the UAE and fewer people leave.

According to the Dubai Statistics Centre, the emirate's population has increased by 86,607 over the past year, hitting 3,597,829 earlier this month.

The growth amplifies a post-Covid surge that resulted in Dubai's population hitting the 3.5 million mark in April 2022.

This increase is expected to place pressure on infrastructure and amenities, as well as drive huge demand for new schools, better public transport and hundreds of thousands of new homes.

Host Sarah Forster speaks to The National's John Dennehy to find out how Dubai is preparing to cater for more people.

Read more

Dubai’s population is surging. How can it prepare?

Waiting lists at Dubai schools grow longer as fewer families leave

How Dubai can prepare for a surging population – in pictures

Dubai's population increased by 86,607 within a year, to reach 3,597,829 on Friday, authorities say. AP

This increase is expected to place pressure on infrastructure and amenities, as well as drive huge demand for new schools and housing. Antonie Robertson / The National

The resurrected Jebel Ali Palm is expected to eventually accommodate about 250,000 people when complete. Dubai Media Office

Taaleem will open the Dubai British School Jumeirah in August, in time for the 2024-25 academic year. Taaleem

Bridges such as Infinity Bride that opened in 2022 have improved connectivity across Dubai Creek while new roads have improved access across the city and to other emirates. Ruel Pableo / The National

Dr Frederic Schneider, an economist and consultant on Gulf labour and human capital issues, said while a booming property market could top-up spending for local infrastructure, the skills market could face disruption due to higher rents and sale prices. Dr Schneider.

The Damac Lagoons cluster of 11 themed residential communities off Hessa Street is set to be completed around 2026.

A rendering of the three-million-square-metre community in Tilal Al Ghaf. Majid Al Futtaim

The overall Tilal Al Ghaf project, built over multiple phases with completion scheduled for 2027, will include more than 6,500 freehold homes ranging from flats and town houses to larger, luxury villas. Reem Mohammed / The National

A metro extension – Route 2020 – to bring passengers to the World Expo site opened in 2021 but new stations were also constructed in residential areas such as The Gardens, Discovery Gardens and Al Furjan. RTA

The Dubai Centre for Intelligent Traffic Systems reduce accident response times and helps manage congestion. RTA