Abu Dhabi sees record growth in real estate and financial sectors

Abu Dhabi is experiencing significant economic growth across its real estate and financial sectors. According to the Abu Dhabi Real Estate Centre (ADREC), the emirate recorded its best first half on record in 2026. Sales value rose 164 percent year-on-year, while foreign direct investment reached AED 13.8 billion, a 309 percent increase compared to the first half of 2025. Notably, British investors have emerged as the largest source of foreign investment into Abu Dhabi property, surpassing China, Russia, and the United States.

Simultaneously, the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) reported a 54 percent year-on-year increase in assets managed during the first half of 2026. The financial hub’s workforce is approaching 50,000 professionals, and institutions within its jurisdiction have deployed more than $100 billion in AI-focused capital. The number of funds managed from the centre rose to 276, a 32 percent increase from the previous year, while new asset managers established in the period collectively oversee more than $2.1 trillion in global assets.