Real Estate

Abu Dhabi's residential real estate market is on track to deliver its strongest year on record after apartment and villa sales surged during the first half of 2026, according to a new market analysis released by ADXinteract.

The report revealed that the total value of residential property transactions jumped 173.9% year-on-year to AED 84.49 billion, while transaction volumes rose 103% to 16,585 sales compared with the first six months of 2025.

The latest figures build on a steady upward trajectory in Abu Dhabi's residential property market over the past five years. Annual transaction volumes increased from 7,242 sales in 2021 to 9,053 in 2022, 15,013 in 2023, 16,244 in 2024, and 24,942 transactions worth AED 91.9 billion in 2025, highlighting sustained investor confidence in the emirate.

Off-Plan Market Continues to Dominate

According to the report, off-plan properties accounted for 78% of all residential transactions during the first half of 2026, underlining continued demand for newly launched developments.

Median residential prices also recorded strong growth, reaching AED 1,927 per square foot for apartments and AED 1,500 per square foot for villas, representing year-on-year increases of 22.5% and 41%, respectively.

Key Investment Hotspots Drive Market Activity

The majority of residential transactions were concentrated in four major development areas: Al Reem Island, which recorded the highest number of sales, Al Hudayriyat, which generated the highest transaction value, as well as Yas Island and Al Saadiyat Island.

Together, developments across these four locations accounted for 11,137 transactions, representing 67.15% of all residential sales, with a combined value of AED 54.8 billion, or 64.86% of the total market value during the period.

ADXinteract also reported a 51% average absorption rate across 286 active residential projects, comprising 98,823 units currently under development, indicating healthy demand for new housing supply.

Market Entering a New Growth Phase

Fateh Al Msaddi, Founder of ADXinteract, said the latest figures demonstrate that Abu Dhabi's residential market is building on the strong momentum recorded during the first quarter of 2026, when 8,806 residential sales worth AED 48.76 billion were completed.

"The Abu Dhabi market has moved from quiet strength to strong, visible momentum," said Al Msaddi.

"The sharp rise that we've seen in sales value and the growth in transactions show that the capital is entering a new phase, one driven by real buyer demand, major project activity, and increasing market transparency."

Growing Real Estate Ecosystem

ADXinteract, the newly launched sister platform of DXBinteract, was introduced to provide comprehensive real estate market intelligence for Abu Dhabi, offering detailed insights into transactions, developers, agencies, brokers, and project activity across the emirate.

The platform currently tracks 1,124 real estate agencies and 3,699 brokers, including 3,378 brokers employed by registered agencies and 321 independently licensed brokers.

It also reports that 140 developers are currently active in Abu Dhabi's property market, comprising 38 primary developers overseeing registered projects and 102 secondary developers delivering projects within larger master developments.

With transaction values, pricing, and development activity continuing to accelerate, the report suggests Abu Dhabi's residential real estate sector is well positioned to achieve its strongest annual performance to date as investor demand remains robust throughout 2026.

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