Why is it so hard for expats to find love in Dubai? The glitzy UAE city might offer beaches, brunches and great career opportunities – but Tinder dating isn’t pretty

Feb 23 , 2021

The new man-made “Love lake” at al-Qudra desert in the Gulf emirate of Dubai in 2019. Photo: AFP

Dubai’s parties and boozy brunches might make for great Instagram snaps, but the city’s dating scene leaves much to be desired, say expats

Many lovesick souls ditch Tinder after being put off by users’ ‘muscular torsos and luxury cars’, while the LGBT community resorts to VPNs to access dating apps

In Dubai, the Middle Eastern metropolis known for its luxury haunts and glitzy parties, Lindsey knows she has reasons to be happy. But like many young expatriates, she’s sure her quest for a partner will force her to leave.

“Even if I had the best job, I wouldn’t stay,” said the curly-haired 32-year-old French teacher who is keen on starting a family.

“I have friends who have been here for years and all are single,” Lindsey said as she ate sushi just ahead of Valentine’s Day on a restaurant terrace at the foot of the sprawling Dubai Mall.

“Even if I’m having fun, have friends and am not alone, I’m wasting my time.”

Tourists walk on the beach at the Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in July, 2020, in the Gulf emirate of Dubai. Photo: AFP

With little of the oil wealth of its sister emirate Abu Dhabi, Dubai has built its economy with the help of legions of expatriates, who work in sectors including finance, communications, technology and hospitality.

More than 90 per cent of the emirate’s 3.3 million population are foreigners. Many work menial jobs that keep the city humming, but large numbers of Arab, European and American residents form the middle class.

After being in Dubai – one of seven emirates comprising the United Arab Emirates – for two years, Lindsey has resorted to using the popular Tinder dating app. But she is put off by the frequent ostentatious displays of muscular torsos and luxury cars.