Abu dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), an affiliate of the Department of Municipalities and Transport, custodian and regulator of Abu Dhabi's real estate sector, has released the Real Estate Market Report for the first half of 2026, presenting registered data on supply and demand, price movements, investment activity, and forward-looking supply projections across the emirate.
According to Emirates News Agency, this edition forms part of ADREC's bi-annual market reporting and is based on sales, lease, and mortgage transactions registered during the period. Rashed Al Omaira, Director General of ADREC, emphasized the importance of understanding market trends beyond mere numbers, highlighting the role of regulations and transparent data in maintaining a resilient real estate market. Al Omaira noted that a significant portion of residential sales value pertained to homes not yet built, underscoring the importance of regulatory work before project completion.
The report revealed that Abu Dhabi recorded 233,000 active residential lease contracts in H1 2026, with total lease values reaching AED 9.3 billion, marking an 8% year-on-year increase. Rental units accounted for 69% of occupied units in Abu Dhabi, indicating a robust rental market and opportunities for homeownership.
Residential supply reached approximately 409,000 units, reflecting an average annual increase of 2.9% since 2022. Projections suggest the addition of 71,000 units by 2030, with peak deliveries anticipated in 2028. Investment zones, particularly Al Reem Island, Al Raha, Yas Island, and Al Saadiyat Island, contributed substantially to the residential stock.
Repeat sales prices for apartments and villas increased by 20% and 12%, respectively, year-on-year. Residential unit sales totaled AED 70.4 billion, with off-plan transactions accounting for a majority of the sales value. Major developers and projects dominated the off-plan primary sales, with cash purchases comprising 61% of the ready market.
Emirati buyers committed AED 21.0 billion, with expatriates and non-residents constituting 70% of the sales value. Hudayriyat Island led residential sales with AED 19 billion, followed by Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island, and Yas Island.
Six key districts, including Al Saadiyat Island and Al Reem Island, are expected to drive future supply, with major developers focusing on high-end and mid-market communities. Retail and office sectors also experienced growth in leasable area and lease prices.
The findings, based on registered transaction data, follow ADREC's methodology, including price-range validation and geographic stratification.