UAE ADREC Abu Dhabi H1 2026 Residential Sales Reach $19.2 Billion

en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) released its H1 2026 real estate market report. The entity, which serves as the custodian and regulator of the real estate sector under the Department of Municipalities and Transport, issued this report as part of its semi-annual market analysis, based on registered sales, leasing, and mortgage transactions during the period, covering supply and demand, price movements, investment activity, and future supply projections across the emirate.

Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC, stated that figures only reflect market movements, and to truly understand the market, one must interpret trends, identify shifts, and assess their impact on investors, developers, and decision-makers. He noted that every sales transaction, lease contract, and real estate mortgage within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi serves as a lens into market direction, helping the entity track momentum and sharpen its responsiveness. The market demonstrated resilience in H1 2026, underpinned by sustained demand, clear regulations, transparent data, and a balanced supply-demand strategy.

He also noted that the largest share of residential sales value came from off-plan properties, placing regulatory focus on the pre-completion phase. ADREC, relying on reliable information, protected buyer funds, and rules applicable across the full market cycle, provides clarity, confidence, and fairness to all market participants.

On the residential leasing front, the emirate recorded 233,000 active residential lease contracts in H1 2026, with a total lease value of $2.5 billion, up 8% year-on-year, while contract volume grew 2%. Rental housing accounts for 69% of occupied units in the Abu Dhabi region, reflecting strong market rental depth, ample homeownership opportunities, and affordable housing options.

Residential supply stands at approximately 409,000 units, growing at an average annual rate of 2.9% since 2022, driven primarily by the Abu Dhabi region, which grew at 3.3% annually and now accounts for 79% of the emirate's residential stock. An estimated 71,000 new residential units are expected to be delivered across the emirate by 2030, with a delivery peak in 2028 at approximately 21,800 units. Between H2 2026 and 2030, development projects account for about 77% of supply additions in the Abu Dhabi region, with building permits comprising 23%.

Investment-zone residential units total approximately 72,000, representing over 22% of total stock, with Al Reem Island leading at 27,500 units, followed by Al Raha, Yas Island, and Saadiyat Island. Resale residential prices rose year-on-year, with apartments up 20% and villas up 12%. Residential unit sales reached $19.2 billion, compared to $6.9 billion in H1 2025; off-plan transactions contributed 89% of sales value and 82% of transaction volume. The top ten developers accounted for 90% of primary off-plan sales, totaling $13.9 billion; ten projects accounted for 43% of residential unit sales value, at $8.2 billion. In the ready-property market, 61% of purchases were completed in cash.

UAE buyers invested $5.7 billion, up from $2.4 billion in H1 2025; expatriate residents and non-resident foreign buyers together accounted for 70% of residential sales value. By region, Al Hudayriat Island recorded $5.2 billion in sales, representing 27% of residential sales value; Saadiyat Island reached $3.6 billion; Al Reem Island and Al Maryah Island (operated by the Abu Dhabi Global Market district) together totaled $2.9 billion; and Yas Island reached $2 billion.

Six key areas—Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, Yas Island, Zayed City, Khalifa City, and Al Hudayriat Island—are expected to collectively contribute 77% of new supply by 2030. Nine major developers hold 76% of the development project pipeline, primarily comprising high-end and mid-tier apartment and villa communities within investment zones.

Retail property supply stands at 3.85 million square meters of gross leasable area, with annualized growth of 5%, occupancy maintained at approximately 95%, and new lease rates up 9%. Office supply totals 3.4 million square meters, up 0.3% from end-2025, with occupancy holding at 95% across the overall market as well as the prime and Grade A segments, and new lease rates up 13%.