Abu Dhabi real estate closes 2025 with $44.6bn in sales as transactions hit new highs
Island developments and new launches fuel investor appetite across residential segments
ABU DHABI – Abu Dhabi’s real estate sector wrapped up 2025 with one of the strongest performances in its history, posting $44.6 billion in sales alongside record transaction volumes.
Industry data shows total market value climbing to about Dh164 billion, reflecting a sharp rise in investor confidence, supported by expanding off-plan supply, premium island developments and a fast-growing residential base. More than 39,000 transactions were recorded during the year, marking a 47 percent year-on-year increase in value and a 38 percent rise in volume compared with 2024.
The momentum was visible across almost every segment, from high-end beachfront apartments to budget-friendly villas on the capital’s outskirts. According to dubizzle’s annual market review, the combination of government-backed infrastructure investment, a digitally driven property market and strong demand from local and overseas buyers kept Abu Dhabi firmly on the global real estate map throughout 2025.
Sales surge
Official transaction data shows Dh142 billion in total sales value, supported by 24,773 sales worth Dh93.3 billion and Dh42.8 billion in mortgage activity. Off-plan properties dominated activity, accounting for 66.24 percent of all deals, as investors locked into new launches across Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, Al Reem Island and Al Shamkha.
Market overview 2025
| Total transactions | 39,000+ |
| Total sales value | Dh142 billion |
| Sales volume growth | 38% YoY |
| Sales value growth | 47% YoY |
| Off-plan share | 66.24% |
| Off-plan transactions | 16,410 |
| Off-plan value | Dh58.4 billion |
| Ready sales | 8,196 |
| Ready sales value | Dh32.7 billion |
| Mortgage value | Dh42.8 billion |
Primary market sales reached 17,115 transactions valued at Dh65.4 billion, while 7,658 secondary market deals generated Dh27.12 billion, highlighting the strength of both new and resale activity.
Residential strength
Residential properties continued to form the backbone of the market, with 23,773 transactions valued at Dh82.4 billion. Apartments led activity, followed by villas and townhouse formats, reflecting demand from end-users and long-term investors.
| Residential sales breakdown | Volume | Value |
| Apartments | 14,700 | Dh35.0bn |
| Villas | 4,357 | Dh27.4bn |
| Villa plots | 1,980 | Dh5.99bn |
| Townhouses | 1,912 | Dh5.24bn |
| Duplexes | 373 | Dh1.47bn |
| Penthouses | 8 | Dh145.3m |
Luxury apartment buyers focused on Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Raha Beach, where prices continued to rise. Yas Island recorded a 17.69 percent increase in average price per square foot. In the mid-tier segment, Al Reem Island, Masdar City and Baniyas attracted the highest interest, while Al Reef, Al Ghadeer and Al Shamkha led the affordable category. Al Reef posted a 12.67 percent increase in apartment prices and delivered the highest apartment ROI at 9.35 percent.
For villas, premium demand centred on Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Jubail Island, while Al Reem Island, Al Raha Gardens and Al Samha dominated the mid-range. The average villa price on Al Reem Island reached Dh608.7k, with Masdar City delivering the highest villa ROI of 8.98 percent across all budget categories.
Rental demand
Rental activity remained robust, driven by population growth and relocation to key residential hubs. Al Raha Beach, the Corniche Area and Yas Island led the luxury apartment rental market. In the mid-tier segment, Al Reem Island, Al Muroor and Al Khalidiyah generated the most enquiries, with annual rents reaching Dh119k, Dh54k and Dh96k respectively.
Luxury villa tenants favoured Yas Island, Saadiyat Island and Al Bateen, while Shakhbout City, Al Samha and Al Raha Gardens led the mid-tier villa rental market. Al Samha’s average annual villa rent climbed to Dh140k, underlining demand for larger family homes. Khalifa City and Al Nahyan recorded the strongest interest in affordable apartments and villas.
Off-plan focus
The off-plan sector remained the main growth engine in 2025, driven by a steady pipeline of master-planned communities and waterfront projects. Gardenia Bay on Yas Island topped the luxury apartment category, followed by Manarat Living on Saadiyat Island and Yas Bay. In the mid-tier, Reem Hills on Al Reem Island and Royal Park in Masdar City led demand, while Reeman Living, Granada and Nawayef Park Views attracted budget-focused buyers.
Luxury villa investors targeted Saadiyat Lagoons, Yas Park Views and Al Jurf Gardens, while Reem Hills, Bayn by Ora and Royal Park dominated the mid-range villa segment. Affordable off-plan villa demand was strongest for Fay Al Reeman 2, Casares and the Al Naseem Community.
Top performers
Island districts once again led the market in both volume and value.
Top areas by sales volume
| Al Reem Island – 5,511 |
| Yas Island – 3,719 |
| Al Saadiyat Island – 2,264 |
| Al Hudayriyat Island – 2,244 |
| Al Bahyah – 1,498 |
Top areas by sales value
| Al Reem Island – Dh14.9bn |
| Al Saadiyat Island – Dh14.12bn |
| Al Hudayriyat Island – Dh11.9bn |
| Yas Island – Dh9.23bn |
| Al Bahyah – Dh5.94bn |
High-value transactions underlined the strength of the luxury segment. The most expensive apartment sale was at Saadiyat Grove – The Source for Dh60.33 million, while the top villa deal on Al Saadiyat Island reached Dh100.32 million.
| Best-selling apartment projects | Units | Value |
| Gardenia Bay | 757 | Dh1.38bn |
| The Beach House | 561 | Dh1.93bn |
| Radiant Square | 519 | Dh673.4m |
| Marina Square, Paragon Bay Mall | 396 | Dh625.0m |
| Vista 1 | 385 | Dh288.2m |
| Best-selling villa projects | Units | Value |
| Bal Ghaiylam | 1,110 | Dh2.65bn |
| Private | 430 | Dh1.47bn |
| Al Deem Townhomes | 348 | Dh1.46bn |
| Bayn – Lagoon | 219 | Dh1.36bn |
| Al Naseem | 214 | Dh1.89bn |
With off-plan, luxury and island communities continuing to lead activity, Abu Dhabi’s 2025 performance placed the emirate among the world’s most active real estate markets, supported by strong demand, rising values and expanding investment depth across all property segments.