Saudi Arabia's three major residential markets delivered divergent performances in 2025. Riyadh recorded approximately 56,600 transactions, down 31.4% year-on-year, as affordability constraints and elevated financing costs dampened buyer activity. Despite the decline in transaction volumes, average transaction prices reached SAR 1.7 million, the highest level in recent years, with apartment and villa prices appreciating 6.6% and 9.7%, respectively. The rental market remained strong throughout the year, ultimately prompting the Government to introduce a five-year rental freeze in late September 2025.

The paradox of geopolitical shock in the Gulf It is a well-established fact that geopolitical crises affect real estate markets differently[1]. Short-lived crises, in particular, may have fleeting effects on equity markets,[2] and even subside before real estate markets, which operate on longer adjustment cycles and are measured in months rather than minutes, have time to respond. This was certainly […]

What has driven Gulf sustainability reporting? There is no doubt that both the quantity and quality of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting in the Gulf has risen dramatically over the past decade. What has driven this change? The first and arguably the most important factor has been the explicit inclusion of ESG in national Government plans such as Saudi […]

Dubai's tourism sector has grown steadily over the past few years, benefiting from world-class infrastructure, a safe and diversified environment, and a strong calendar of events and cultural festivals. The market continued to perform strongly in 2025, supported by strong air connectivity, rising international visitation, and resilient hotel performance. Passenger traffic at Dubai's airports reached 95.2 million up by 3.1% compared to 2024, with international visitors climbing to 19.6 million, reinforcing the city's position as a leading hub for both leisure and business travel. Demand growth remains broad-based, supported by a diversified mix of source markets and an expanding ecosystem of events and experiences, while premium hotel openings have further enhanced Dubai's appeal to high-value international travellers.