Emirati Marriages in Dubai Jump 47.5% Over Four Years, Court Figures Show

Emirati Unions Reach Four-Year Peak

A total of 4,781 marriage contracts between Emirati couples were registered over the four-year span. Annual numbers climbed from 983 in 2022 to 1,450 in 2025, an increase of 467 contracts. The upward trend was steady: after 983 contracts in 2022, the figure rose 12.3 per cent to 1,104 in 2023, then 12.7 per cent to 1,244 in 2024, before jumping 16.6 per cent to 1,450 in 2025. The year 2025 recorded both the highest number of contracts and the fastest annual increase during the period.

Divorce Increases at a Slower Pace

Divorces between Emirati couples also followed a rising path, but with smaller increments. A total of 1,561 divorces were recorded between 2022 and 2025, beginning with 361 in 2022. The number increased 6.1 per cent to 383 in 2023, rose a modest 1.8 per cent to 390 in 2024, and then climbed 9.5 per cent to 427 in 2025. Overall, divorces rose by 66 cases, or 18.3 per cent, compared with the 47.5 per cent jump in marriage contracts over the same period. The slowest divorce growth occurred in 2024, before the increase accelerated in 2025.

Mixed Nationality Marriages Also Rise

Marriages between Emirati men and non-Emirati women also grew each year. Dubai Courts recorded 904 such contracts in 2022, followed by 949 in 2023 (up 5 per cent), 984 in 2024 (up 3.7 per cent), and 1,088 in 2025 (up 10.6 per cent). The largest annual increase came in 2025, with 104 additional contracts compared with the previous year. Across the four years, annual registrations rose by 184, or 20.4 per cent, bringing the cumulative total to 3,925.

Divorces in this category showed a less consistent pattern. A total of 1,065 divorces were registered over the period: 286 in 2022, 238 in 2023 (down 16.8 per cent), 251 in 2024 (up 5.5 per cent), and 290 in 2025 (up 15.5 per cent). Despite the increases in the final two years, the 2025 figure was only four higher than in 2022, an overall rise of just 1.4 per cent.

Dubai Expands Support for Emiratis Planning to Marry

The data comes as Dubai has introduced initiatives to encourage Emiratis to marry and establish families. Measures include facilities aimed at reducing the financial burden of weddings and making marriage more accessible for young people. Awareness and guidance programmes have also been launched for couples preparing for marriage, covering marital rights and responsibilities, communication, mutual understanding, financial planning, and household resource management. Dubai has continued expanding these services through new wedding and family event halls, as well as partnerships between government entities offering benefits and facilities to young Emiratis. Other efforts address housing, social support and awareness, forming part of broader initiatives to strengthen family relationships and community cohesion.