Abu Dhabi Real Estate Transactions Jump 43% to $25.6bn in 2025

Abu Dhabi, UAE: Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector posted one of its strongest performances to date, recording $25.6bn (AED 94bn) in total transaction value during the first nine months of 2025, a 43.3 percent year-on-year increase, according to new data released by the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC).

Between January and September 2025, the emirate completed 29,400 transactions, representing a 48 percent rise in activity compared with the same period last year. The results reinforce Abu Dhabi’s standing as one of the region’s most transparent and trusted property markets, supported by ongoing upgrades in regulation, digitalisation and investor-focused reforms.

Sales and mortgage activity drive growth

Of the total trading volume, $16.8bn (AED 61.8bn) came from sales and purchase transactions across 16,887 deals, while mortgage activity contributed $8.8bn (AED 32.2bn) from 12,666 transactions. The balance between end-user sales and financing activity indicates deeper institutional confidence and growing participation from banks and large investors.

“These results affirm the strength of Abu Dhabi’s real estate market fundamentals and the maturity of its investors,” said Engineer Rashed Al Omaira, Acting Director General of ADREC. “With greater transparency, reliable data, and effective regulation, the sector continues to create real economic value reflected in a 9% increase in its Non-Oil GDP contribution to 21.9 AED billion in H1 2025 compared with AED 20.2 billion a year earlier. This alignment between policy, performance, and productivity is what continues to define Abu Dhabi’s real-estate success story.”

Construction sector reinforces economic contribution

The construction sector also posted significant gains, with activity rising 10 percent to $15.7bn (AED 57.5bn) compared with $14.2bn (AED 52.3bn) over the same period in 2024. Combined, the real estate and construction sectors contributed $21.7bn (AED 79.5bn), 24 percent of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP in the first half of 2025.

Foreign investment climbs 35% as global appetite accelerates

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into Abu Dhabi’s real estate market reached $1.69bn (AED 6.2bn) by Q3 2025, marking a 35 percent increase year-on-year. Investors from 97 nationalities participated, including strong inflows from Russia, China, the UK, France, Kazakhstan, and the United States.

Investment zones remained the top destination for overseas buyers, accounting for 74 percent of all foreign real estate investment. Total investment in these zones surged 66 percent year-on-year to $9.53bn (AED 35bn).

This momentum has been matched by development activity. ADREC reported 40 new real estate projects launched in 2025 and a 47 percent increase in professional real estate licences issued, totalling 2,411 professionals in the first nine months of the year.

Digital transformation accelerates investor confidence

ADREC continues to roll out new digital services aimed at improving transparency and enhancing investor experience. Key platforms such as the Digital Buy & Sell Service, Madhmoun Platform, and the ADREC Interactive Map are reshaping Abu Dhabi’s property ecosystem, enabling faster transactions and more reliable market data.

The strong first nine months of performance position Abu Dhabi firmly on track toward its long-term strategic objectives, including greater foreign investment, a more diversified real estate landscape, and a regulatory environment built for global competitiveness.