Abu Dhabi market snapshot
H1 2026 · ADREC · released 18 August 2026 · checked 27 September 2026. Emirate-wide residential data; these figures do not describe any individual property or area.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report · released 18 August 2026 · checked 23 September 2026
Evidence for a considered decision
Abu Dhabi market data
Understand the market behind your next move, with a clear distinction between activity, residential sales and housing supply.
Period: January–June 2026 · Scope: Abu Dhabi emirate · Source: ADREC · Checked: 6 October 2026.
Broader transaction activity; not solely residential unit sales. Report p. 40.
Sales value during H1 2026. Report p. 42.
Existing stock as of June 2026; not units sold during the period. Report p. 14.
Market growth at a glance
| Measure | H1 2025 | H1 2026 | Year-on-year change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total transactions | AED 55bn | AED 117bn | +112% |
| Residential sales value | AED 25.3bn | AED 70.4bn | ~+178% |
| Residential units sold | ~8,000 | ~15,900 | ~+99% |
Comparisons cover January–June in each year. Residential changes are rounded from the published values; registrations may occur after the original agreement date.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 40 and 42–43 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
The sales picture
H1 2026 residential sales reached approximately 15,900 units. Off-plan sales include both developer sales and resales before completion.
| Measure | Value | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Off-plan sales | AED 62.4bn · 89% | Share of residential sales value |
| Ready sales | AED 8.0bn · 11% | Share of residential sales value |
| All residential units sold | ~15,900 | Abu Dhabi emirate |
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 42–43 and p. 55 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Activity over time
| Period | Total transactions (AED bn) |
|---|---|
| H1 2022 | 27 |
| H1 2023 | 46 |
| H1 2024 | 40 |
| H1 2025 | 55 |
| H1 2026 | 117 |
Includes sales, mortgages and other registered dealings. These totals are broader than residential unit sales; the report applies exclusions to exceptional 2023 sales for comparability.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed p. 40 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Where buyers focused
| District | Sales value | Area guide |
|---|---|---|
| Al Hudayriyat Island | AED 19.0bn | Explore Hudayriyat → |
| Saadiyat Island | AED 13.3bn | Explore Saadiyat → |
| ADGM: Al Reem + Al Maryah | AED 10.5bn | Explore Al Reem → |
| Yas Island | AED 7.3bn | Explore Yas → |
The ADGM figure combines two islands and must not be attributed to Al Reem alone. Sales activity is not an investment-return ranking.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 48–49 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Price movement, with context
| Segment | Change | Geography / measure |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment sales | +20% | Abu Dhabi Region · ready-market repeat sales index |
| Villa / townhouse sales | +12% | Abu Dhabi Region · ready-market repeat sales index |
| Apartment new leases | +17% | Abu Dhabi Region · all zones |
| Villa new leases | +9% | Abu Dhabi Region · all zones |
| Apartment new leases | +21% | Abu Dhabi Region · investment zones |
| Villa new leases | +16% | Abu Dhabi Region · investment zones |
Repeat indices compare the same units over time. The sales index excludes off-plan transactions; these changes are not rental yields or forecasts.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 57 and 77 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
The rental market
At the H1 2026 cut-off, the emirate had approximately 233,000 active residential leases. Reported lease value was AED 9.3bn, up 8% year on year, while active lease volume rose 2%.
Active leases describe occupied units under contract at the period end, not 233,000 new lettings during six months.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 12–13 and 73 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Who is buying?
| Buyer category | Sales value | Rounded share |
|---|---|---|
| Emirati | AED 21.0bn | 30% |
| Resident foreign | AED 35.6bn | 51% |
| Non-resident foreign / FDI | AED 13.8bn | 20% |
Rounded percentages total 101%. UAE-registered companies are included in the Emirati category; foreign companies are included in non-resident foreign. ADREC’s foreword reports non-resident investors from 116 nationalities.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 8–9 and 44 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Looking ahead to 2030
ADREC projects approximately 71,000 additional homes across the emirate by 2030. Saadiyat, Al Reem, Yas, Hudayriyat, Zayed City and Khalifa City together account for 77% of projected additions in Abu Dhabi Region.
These are pipeline estimates from registered projects, inspections and active permits, excluding future national housing. Delivery dates and totals may change.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 30–31 and 36 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
How to read this page
Figures refer to January–June 2026 unless stated otherwise. Emirate totals include Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra regions; price indices use Abu Dhabi Region. Residential unit-sales analysis excludes court-mandated transfers.
Primary sales are the first sale by a developer. Secondary sales are subsequent resales, whether the home is ready or still off-plan.
Source: ADREC H1 2026 report, printed pp. 12–13 and 42–43 ↗ · Checked 6 October 2026.
Where the housing stock sits
Residential supply by region, June 2026. Percentages are rounded.
ADREC, printed p. 14. The report excludes approximately 10,000 Al Dhannah units from Al Dhafra stock because verified data was limited.
Read the official ADREC H1 2026 report (PDF) ↗ · ADREC report archive ↗
Read each measure in context
Market totals do not establish the price, rental yield or future return of an individual property. Compare like-for-like homes and distinguish asking prices from completed transactions.
From market context to a location
District sales values describe registered activity. Area-level price and yield series remain excluded until comparable dated data is verified.
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