Abu Dhabi Property Transactions Reach Dh155 Billion in Eight Months, Outpacing Previous Year's Total

Abu Dhabi's real estate market has demonstrated exceptional growth, with transaction values reaching Dh155 billion in the first eight months of 2026. This figure surpasses the Dh142 billion recorded for the whole of 2025, according to data released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (Adrec). This strong performance indicates a structurally larger market scale and consistent activity, rather than a seasonal surge.

Market Dynamics and Growth Drivers

The capital's property market began 2026 with an impressive Dh66 billion in transactions during the first quarter alone, representing a 160.7 per cent increase from the Dh25.31 billion in the same period of 2025. Transaction volumes also saw a significant rise, climbing from 6,896 to 13,518 deals. By the end of June, the cumulative transaction value for the first half was between Dh117 billion and Dh122 billion, with residential unit sales contributing Dh70.4 billion, an increase from Dh25.3 billion in the prior year's first half. Notably, off-plan deals constituted 89 per cent of this sales value.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been a crucial catalyst for this expansion. FDI in the emirate's property sector hit Dh13.8 billion in the first half of 2026, already exceeding the total FDI for all of 2025. Non-resident investors from 116 nationalities have been active in the market, with top buyers in the first half including resident expatriates from Canada, China, Egypt, France, India, Jordan, Pakistan, Russia, the UK, and the US, alongside foreign investors from China, France, Germany, Jordan, Kazakhstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Taiwan, the UK, and the US.

Price Appreciation and Supply Outlook

Sales prices in Abu Dhabi have shown notable resilience, with double-digit annual increases. Apartments recorded a 19.4 per cent rise, while townhouses saw an 11.2 per cent increase, as reported by JLL. This boom in transactions coincides with the continuous expansion of Abu Dhabi's residential base. As of mid-2026, the total residential supply stood at approximately 409,000 units, having grown at an average annual rate of 2.9 per cent since 2022. The Abu Dhabi Region accounts for 79 per cent of the emirate's housing stock.

Looking ahead, an additional 71,000 units are projected to be added across the emirate by 2030, with new deliveries expected to peak at around 21,800 units in 2028. This sustained growth and investment signal a market focused on long-term stability and demand, positioning Abu Dhabi for its strongest year on record.