Abu Dhabi’s population crossed four million for the first time in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi’s population crossed four million for the first time in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi’s population crossed four million for the first time in 2024. Victor Besa / The National
Abu Dhabi’s population crossed four million for the first time in 2024. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi property deals jump 42% to $14.7bn in first half amid population growth


Fareed Rahman
  • English
  • Arabic

Abu Dhabi property deals in the first half of 2025 surged by 42 per cent on an annual basis as demand remained strong amid a population increase and robust economic growth.

The total value of deals over the six months to the end of June reached Dh54 billion ($14.7 billion), driven by residential unit sales that rose by 38 per cent to Dh25 billion, according to the latest report from Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre. The volume of property transactions jumped 25 per cent to 15,578.

“Abu Dhabi’s real estate market continues to demonstrate its strength, setting new records in both sales value and volume,” said Rashed Al Omaira, acting director general of Adrec.

“The combination of economic growth, international investor confidence, and the delivery of high-quality, master-planned communities is reinforcing the emirate’s position as a premier destination for investment and living.”

Abu Dhabi's economy expanded by 3.8 per cent annually in 2024 to reach a record value of Dh1.2 trillion, state news agency Wam reported in May.

The emirate's non-oil sector during the 12-month period grew 6.2 per cent to Dh644.3 billion, making its highest annual contribution to the gross domestic product at 54.7 per cent, Wam said, quoting data from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi’s population passed four million in 2024, boosting demand for property in the emirate.

New master developments including Al Hudayriat, Balghaiylam in Yas Island, Mamsha Gardens and Saadiyat Lagoons are driving sales of homes, the Adrec report said.

The premium segment recorded strong growth, representing 57 per cent of apartment sales values in the January to June period and more than double its share in 2023, the report said.

Sale prices have also risen amid higher demand. Apartment prices increased by 14 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2025, while villa/town house prices rose by 11 per cent.

In the first half, Saadiyat Island registered the highest apartment sales price per square metre, of between Dh14,000 and Dh77,000, while Ramhan Island recorded the highest villa/townhouse price per sq m, at Dh37,000, the data shows.

Demand has been outpacing supply in Abu Dhabi since 2022, with the residential inventory standing at 400,000 units at the end of the first half of 2025.

Residential supply within Abu Dhabi is expected to increase by 4.6 per cent annually by 2028, adding about 64,000 new units, Adrec added.

The new report comes as developers including Aldar Properties have recorded strong sales this year.

This month, Aldar said it generated Dh1.8 billion from the sale of 450 town houses at Al Deem, in the north-east of Yas Island.

It also generated more than Dh3.5 billion in sales from Fahid Beach Residences and The Beach House, Fahid Island’s first residential developments, released in June, and Dh850 million from the Waldorf Astoria Residences project on Yas Island.

The rental market also performed strongly in the first half of 2025, with total lease values reaching Dh8.2 billion, up 6 per cent from the same period last year, Adrec data showed. Apartment rents increased by 21 per cent and villa/town house rents by 7 per cent in the past two years, it added.

While you're here
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors

Power: Combined output 920hp

Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic

Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km

On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025

Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000

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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

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Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

 

The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km

Price: Dh133,900

On sale: now 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

War and the virus
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

Boston%20Strangler
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to wear a kandura

Dos

  • Wear the right fabric for the right season and occasion 
  • Always ask for the dress code if you don’t know
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  • Wear 100 per cent cotton under the kandura as most fabrics are polyester

Don’ts 

  • Wear hamdania for work, always wear a ghutra and agal 
  • Buy a kandura only based on how it feels; ask questions about the fabric and understand what you are buying
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE squad

Esha Oza (captain), Al Maseera Jahangir, Emily Thomas, Heena Hotchandani, Indhuja Nandakumar, Katie Thompson, Lavanya Keny, Mehak Thakur, Michelle Botha, Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Siya Gokhale, Sashikala Silva, Suraksha Kotte, Theertha Satish (wicketkeeper) Udeni Kuruppuarachchige, Vaishnave Mahesh.

UAE tour of Zimbabwe

All matches in Bulawayo
Friday, Sept 26 – First ODI
Sunday, Sept 28 – Second ODI
Tuesday, Sept 30 – Third ODI
Thursday, Oct 2 – Fourth ODI
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Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Updated: September 23, 2025, 1:58 PM`