Ajman in UAE among highest rental yields globally

With affordability and healthy yields to its credit, Ajman is worth more than a second look

UAE investors looking for epic returns may do well to stay on Sheikh Zayed Road and keep heading north.
Despite the continued decline in real estate prices, since market peak in mid-2014, rental yields throughout the UAE remain strong, and in some cases, attract yields that exceed averages around the world.  
The UAE's smallest emirate, Ajman, north of Sharjah, reports global-leading rental yields of 9.6% between April and October 2017, according to Propertyfinder Group. Yields are up 0.3% over the same period six months prior. 
Ajman - with its palm-lined Corniche, heritage museum, and traditional souq -  may seem a world away from DIFC in Dubai, but a commuter may get to the financial hub in under 45 minutes.  
Worth considering when, by comparison, other major metropolitan areas do not come close to Ajman's yields for buy-to-let investors. 
Here are five examples from around the world: New York City (2.9%), Geneva (3.3%), Sydney (4.3%). Tokyo (2.7%), and Hong Kong (2.6%), according to a global database of gross rental yields compiled by Global Property Guide. The Gross Rental Yield figures are based on the average yields for 120 square-metre properties, most likely apartment units.
Regionally, a couple of cities are competitive with the emirate; Cairo, Egypt (9.4%) is nearly tied. The capital city is one of the fastest growing markets in Africa largely due to steady population growth and the devaluation of the Egyptian pound in September 2016. Amman, Jordan (8.1%), too, gets close. Further behind on returns are Beirut, Lebanon (4.5%), Istanbul, Turkey (3.6%), and Marrakesh, Morocco (5.5%), according to Global Property Guide. 
With affordability and healthy yields to its credit, Ajman is worth more than a second look.

• Ajman