Abu Dhabi’s property market saw a sharp rise in activity during the first nine months of the year, with new data showing higher demand from both buyers and investors as well as stronger mortgage activity.
Market growth
According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), total real estate trading reached Dhs 94 billion across 29,400 transactions, up 43.3% in value and 48% in volume compared with the same period in 2024.
Sales and purchases accounted for Dhs 61.8 billion from 16,887 transactions, while mortgages made up Dhs 32.2 billion across 12,666 transactions. ADREC said the figures point to balanced activity between end-users and investors, supported by its digital and regulatory initiatives.
“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 said: “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 Dhs billion in H1 2025 compared with Dhs 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.”
Real estate and construction together contributed Dhs 79.5 billion, representing 24% of Abu Dhabi’s non-oil GDP in the first half of 2025. Construction alone grew 10% to Dhs 57.5 billion, up from Dhs 52.3 billion a year earlier.
Foreign investment
ADREC reported Dhs 6.2 billion in foreign direct investment by individuals up to Q3 2025, marking a 35% rise from the same period last year. Investors from 97 nationalities participated, with notable interest from Russia, China, the UK, France, Kazakhstan, and the US.
Foreign investment in designated investment zones reached Dhs 35 billion, a 66% increase and representing 74% of all real estate investments. The year also saw the registration of 40 new development projects and a 47% rise in real estate professional licenses, totaling 2,411 in the first nine months.
ADREC said it will continue advancing digital services and oversight tools, including the Digital Buy & Sell Service, the Madhmoun Platform, and the ADREC Interactive Map, to support transparency and investor confidence across the market.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
