Why is Dubai Suddenly So Crowded? Unpacking the Recent Population Surge
What might be the reasons behind the recent surge in Dubai’s population? Over the last two months, it seems like every place feels noticeably busier and more crowded. Traffic on the roads has increased, malls are more packed, and even gyms appear busier. I’m wondering if there is a broader trend driving this, as it seems to be more than just tourism. Tourists generally use cabs rather than private cars, and they typically don’t purchase gym memberships, so this feels like a sustained change rather than a temporary influx.
This recent surge seems to have spiked over the past two to three months. Before the summer break, it wasn’t as evident, and it feels as though more people have arrived since then than those who may have left for vacation or other reasons.
Could this increase be linked to any particular trend or geopolitical event? For instance, late 2023 saw a rise in residents from Eastern Europe due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, and before that, there was an influx following the pandemic as things reopened. Could the recent escalation in certain regions be contributing to the current population increase, or are there other factors or patterns driving this growth?
Is there a way to access real-time or near-real-time updates on Dubai's population growth? Perhaps through metrics like real estate sales, month-over-month rental trends, or car sales data. Are there any open sources to track these trends for Dubai?