As 2025 approaches, rising costs strain budgets of UAE residents and expatriates

ABU DHABI: With just a month left for the new year, reports indicate that prices will increase in many areas in the UAE in 2025. The price increase is aimed at improving public services in areas including transportation. In some areas, this is the first price increase in a decade.

Dubai parking fees:

From March 2025, two-wheeler owners will have to pay six dirhams per hour for parking in 'premium' parking areas in Dubai during peak hours. They will also have to pay 25 dirhams in event parking zones where events and other activities are held. The parking rate will increase within a 500-meter radius of a metro station, in markets and commercial areas.

New Salik toll rates:

From 2025, the toll rate will increase to six dirhams during peak hours, from 6 am to 10 am and from 4 pm to 8 pm. This is the first time that the rate has been increased since the introduction of toll gates in 2007.

New sewage rates:

From 2025, sewage rates will increase. The rate will be 1.5 fils per gallon. In 2027, it will increase to 2.8 fils.

In the UAE, although the rates will increase in the above areas, there are assessments that rental rates will decrease and salaries will increase in many job sectors. It is estimated that rental rates may decrease as more than 10,0000 apartments will be launched by 2025.

Salary increases are expected in job sectors such as technology, law, finance, accounting, and HR. Moreover, some studies indicate that there will be a four percent salary increase in all sectors by 2025.