Abu Dhabi’s residential property market is heading for a major expansion, with around 71,000 new homes expected to be delivered by 2030. The biggest wave of new supply is projected for 2028, when approximately 21,800 residential units are scheduled to enter the market, according to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre’s (ADREC) latest report.
The emirate currently has about 409,000 residential units, which means that the planned additions could significantly increase housing availability over the next four years. However, much of the upcoming development is concentrated in a handful of major districts, with six locations expected to account for 77% of the additional supply.
The biggest contribution is expected from Al Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City and Al Hudayriyat Island. These areas are set to remain at the centre of Abu Dhabi’s residential development pipeline through 2030.
Nine major developers currently account for around 76% of the development pipeline, with projects spanning both premium and mid-market apartments and villas. A large share of these developments is located within designated investment zones.
The Abu Dhabi region has recorded average annual residential supply growth of 3.3% since 2022 and currently represents 79% of the emirate’s residential stock.
“Numbers measure the market's 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,” said Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC.
“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 planned construction comes at a time when rental costs are still climbing. New lease prices increased by 17% for apartments and 9% for villas. Within investment zones, the increases were even sharper, with apartment rents rising 21% and villa rents gaining 16%.
During the first half of 2026, Abu Dhabi recorded around 233,000 active residential lease contracts, with their combined value reaching AED 9.3 billion. Lease values rose 8% year-on-year, while the number of contracts increased 2%.
This suggests that demand remains firm even as developers prepare a substantial new housing pipeline.
Abu Dhabi’s property market also witnessed strong momentum in off-plan sales. Residential transactions reached AED 70.4 billion in the first half of 2026, compared with AED 25.3 billion during the same period last year.
Off-plan properties accounted for 89% of residential sales value and 82% of transactions, highlighting the strong appetite for properties purchased before completion. Hudayriyat Island recorded the highest residential sales value at AED 19 billion, followed by Saadiyat Island at AED 13.3 billion and Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island at AED 10.5 billion.
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Al Omaira said, “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.”
The additional 71,000 homes could gradually improve housing availability and give buyers and tenants more choices. However, the impact on prices will depend on how quickly units are delivered and whether demand continues to grow at its current pace.