Dubai charts new strategies to cut education and housing costs, boost liveability

Dubai is stepping up efforts to make life more affordable and rewarding for its residents, with government entities unveiling new strategies to reduce education and housing costs while enhancing overall quality of life. The initiatives align with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to cement the emirate’s status as the best city in the world to live and work.

Attending the forum, Sheikh Mohammed, “Today, I attended the Mohammed bin Rashid Leaders Forum — a gathering of 1,000 leading figures from Dubai’s public and private sectors. I call them Dubai’s Team, and I shared with them a renewed vision: for Dubai to be the most beautiful, advanced, and distinguished city in the world — in its stature, its spirit, its culture, and its architecture. In short, our goal is for Dubai to be the best city in the world.

We have asked every official to redouble their efforts to achieve this vision, establishing unique benchmarks for measuring success and accelerating delivery. All our decisions, policies, and projects must begin and end with people — to ensure that life in Dubai is the best life.”

The plans were discussed during a plenary session at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Leadership Forum, held on Wednesday in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed.

Also attending were Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE; Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council; Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairperson of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority; and Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group and President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The forum, organised by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development, was opened by Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of The Executive Office of Sheikh Mohammed. He underscored Sheikh Mohammed’s leadership philosophy, which has become an international model for governance and development.

Addressing the challenge of rising education costs, Aisha Abdulla Miran, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA), said families are increasingly burdened, with expatriates estimating the cost of a child’s education in Dubai at nearly Dhs1 million.

To address this, KHDA has submitted proposals to the Executive Council that would encourage the establishment of non-profit schools through incentives such as adjusted land allocation policies. The authority is also reviewing operating models and school cost structures to ensure quality education remains within reach of families.

Miran pointed to Dubai’s Education 33 (E33) strategy, which seeks to redesign students’ learning journey, enhance school environments, and secure the emirate a spot among the world’s top 10 cities for education while also positioning it as a premier destination for international students.

High housing costs also came under the spotlight. Omar Hamad BuShehab, Director General of the Dubai Land Department and Chairman of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Housing Establishment, highlighted the need to expand housing options and bridge the gap between luxury and mid-market offerings.

While Dubai homes provide significantly more value compared to global cities such as New York, London, and Singapore, BuShehab acknowledged that affordability remains a pressing issue. He emphasised a balanced approach that protects both buyers and sellers, supported by streamlined customer journeys and greater private sector participation in real estate development.

Marwan Ahmed Bin Ghalita, Director General of Dubai Municipality, said the civic body is prioritising initiatives that make Dubai “more liveable and its people happier,” in line with Sheikh Mohammed’s vision.

He stressed that digital innovation goes hand in hand with maintaining a human touch, while also focusing on developing rural areas such as Hatta to ensure equitable access to services. Bin Ghalita noted that the municipality is investing heavily in infrastructure, including advanced drainage systems to address future natural challenges like the record rainfall of 2024.

On the healthcare front, Dr Amer Ahmad Sharif, CEO of Dubai Health and President of the Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences, showcased the city’s growing achievements.

Dubai’s healthcare system, he said, operates on a “patient first” philosophy and has expanded its capacity to offer specialised services such as open-heart surgeries. The emirate now leads the region in healthcare appointment efficiency and is working to further reduce waiting times.

He added that Dubai Health’s integrated model, which merges education, research, clinical care, and philanthropy, is central to achieving the objectives of Dubai Plan 2033.