Abu Dhabi Residential Sales Reach $19.17bn in H1 2026, ADREC Reports

ABU DHABI, UAE: Abu Dhabi’s residential real estate market recorded $19.17 billion (AED 70.4 billion) in unit sales during the first half of 2026, with off-plan transactions accounting for 89% of sales value, according to the latest Real Estate Market Report from the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

The report provides registered data covering supply and demand, rental and sales price movements, investment activity and residential supply projections through 2030. The publication forms part of ADREC’s bi-annual market reporting and is based on sales, lease and mortgage transactions registered during the period.

The emirate recorded 233,000 active residential lease contracts, with a combined value of $2.53 billion (AED 9.3 billion). Meanwhile, residential supply stood at approximately 409,000 units, with another 71,000 units projected to enter the market by 2030.

H.E. Eng. Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC, stated: “Numbers measure the markets movement, but understanding the market requires us to look beyond the numbers, to read the trends, understand what is changing, and assess what those changes mean for investors, developers, and decision-makers. Every sale transaction, tenancy contract, and real estate mortgage across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi provides us with an understanding of the market, enabling us to track its direction and respond with greater precision. The first half of 2026 reflects a resilient market, supported by sustained demand, clear regulations, transparent data, and a balanced approach to supply and demand.”

He added: "The largest share of residential sales value went to homes not yet built, which places the weight of our regulatory work before completion. ADREC remains focused on ensuring clarity, confidence, and fairness for all market participants, supported by reliable information, protected buyer funds, and rules that apply across market cycles."

Residential Leasing and Rental Prices

Total residential lease values reached $2.53 billion (AED 9.3 billion) during H1 2026, representing an 8% year-on-year increase, while contract volumes rose 2%.

Rental units account for 69% of occupied units in Abu Dhabi Region, supporting a sizeable rental market alongside homeownership opportunities.

New-lease prices increased 17% for apartments and 9% for villas. Within investment zones, increases reached 21% and 16%, respectively, while month-on-month growth reached 1.6% in December and January.

Residential Sales More Than Double

Residential unit sales reached $19.17 billion (AED 70.4 billion) in H1 2026, compared with $6.89 billion (AED 25.3 billion) during the same period in 2025.

Off-plan transactions dominated activity, accounting for 89% of residential sales value and 82% of deals.

The ten leading developers accounted for 90% of off-plan primary sales, worth $13.89 billion (AED 51 billion). At project level, ten developments generated 43% of residential unit sales, equivalent to $8.17 billion (AED 30 billion).

In the ready property market, 61% of purchases were completed in cash.

Repeat sales prices increased 20% year-on-year for apartments and 12% for villas, highlighting continued price growth across the residential market.

Emirati Buyers Commit $5.72 Billion

Investment by Emirati buyers reached $5.72 billion (AED 21.0 billion) during the first half, compared with $2.42 billion (AED 8.9 billion) in H1 2025.

Resident expatriates and non-resident foreign buyers together represented 70% of residential sales value.

Hudayriyat Island led residential sales with $5.17 billion (AED 19 billion), equivalent to 27% of total residential sales value.

It was followed by Saadiyat Island at $3.62 billion (AED 13.3 billion), Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island, operated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market area, at $2.86 billion (AED 10.5 billion), and Yas Island at $1.99 billion (AED 7.3 billion).

Abu Dhabi Residential Supply Reaches 409,000 Units

Residential supply across the emirate reached approximately 409,000 units, representing average annual growth of 2.9% since 2022.

Abu Dhabi Region recorded average annual growth of 3.3% and now accounts for 79% of the emirate’s residential stock.

Investment zones represented more than 22% of total residential stock in H1 2026, with approximately 72,000 units. Al Reem Island led with 27,500 units, followed by Al Raha, Yas Island and Al Saadiyat Island.

Around 71,000 additional residential units are projected across the emirate by 2030, with deliveries expected to peak at approximately 21,800 units in 2028.

Development projects are estimated to account for 77% of Abu Dhabi Region supply growth between H2 2026 and 2030, compared with 23% from building permits.

Six districts are expected to generate 77% of projected incremental supply through 2030: Al Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Al Hudayriyat Island.

Nine major developers account for 76% of the development projects pipeline, delivering high-end and mid-market apartment and villa communities predominantly within investment zones.

Retail and Office Markets Maintain High Occupancy

Abu Dhabi’s retail supply reached 3.85 million square metres of gross leasable area, growing 5% on an annualised basis. Occupancy remained in the mid-nineties, while new lease prices increased 9%.

Office supply reached 3.4 million square metres, an increase of 0.3% from the end of 2025.

Occupancy stood at 95% across both the wider office market and the prime and Grade A segments, while new lease prices increased 13%.

ADREC said all findings in the report are derived from registered transaction data and follow its established methodology, including price-range validation, transaction filtering and geographic stratification.