The recently concluded 14th edition of the International Real Estate and Investment Show (IREIS 2025) at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC) highlighted the urgent need for developers to capitalize on the current Abu Dhabi real estate boom, driven by a substantial $758.79 billion pipeline of active projects. As demand for residential units surges, industry leaders are calling for a swift response to launch new developments that can accommodate the emirate’s rapidly growing population.
Abu Dhabi’s population experienced remarkable growth of 7.5% in 2024, reaching 4.13 million, fueled largely by expansion in non-oil sectors such as tourism, aviation, retail, and construction. This significant demographic increase has put additional pressure on the housing market, where supply is struggling to meet soaring demand.
Market Dynamics in Abu Dhabi
According to the World Bank, the UAE economy is projected to grow by 4.6% in 2025, largely driven by gains in non-oil sectors. Abu Dhabi’s real estate market has demonstrated strong performance early in 2025, with apartment prices soaring by 18% and villa prices climbing 14% year-on-year as of June. This trend underscores the urgent need for new residential projects, a sentiment echoed by industry stakeholders.
“Housing demand is outpacing supply as Abu Dhabi needs more properties,” stated Amer Al Ahbabi, CEO of Vertix Holdings. “This has been evident in the recent release of some properties that were sold out at launch. I urge more developers to enter the Abu Dhabi market and launch real estate properties, where the price of homes is growing at a fast pace.”
He continued, highlighting the advantages for buyers, “In the absence of capital gains tax, a homebuyer or an investor stands to get a better return on investment in Abu Dhabi properties.”
Key Developments and Future Outlook
Reports indicate that the total value of active urban development projects in Abu Dhabi has surged to AED 2.78 trillion ($758.79 billion), with AED 813 billion ($221.56 billion) dedicated specifically to urban construction. Developers attending IREIS 2025, including Reportage, Danube Properties, Object 1, Dugasta Properties, Meta Homes Real Estate GGM, and Dia Properties, have confirmed their plans to introduce new projects, reflecting optimism about the market’s trajectory.
During the exhibition, Reportage Properties announced strong sales, with many of its homes already sold out. Residential supply is gradually increasing, with 2,400 units delivered in 2025. Approximately 10,400 units are expected to be completed by year-end, alongside an additional 11,000 slated for 2026, according to insights from Cavendish Maxwell.
The Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC) has reported a 39% rise in the emirate’s real estate transaction value during the first half of 2025, reaching AED 51.72 billion ($14.09 billion), compared to AED 37.2 billion ($10.13 billion) in the first half of 2024. These figures further illustrate the robust activity within the Abu Dhabi real estate boom and emphasize the necessity for developers to act swiftly in launching new projects to keep pace with increasing demand.