About Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the United Arab Emirates, occupying 84 per cent of the national landmass territory. It has 200 islands and a long coastline stretching 700km. Its total area is 67,340 sq. km.

Abu Dhabi city in the emirate is the federal capital of the UAE.

Population

According to Abu Dhabi Census 2024 data, the population of Abu Dhabi reached 4,135,985, showing an increase of 7.5 per cent since 2023.

The number of males reached 2,767,060, representing 66.9 per cent of the total population, while the number of females reached 1,368,925, representing 33.1 per cent of the total population.

Location and geography

The emirate of Abu Dhabi lies on the coast of the Arabian Gulf and is bordered by Sultanate of Oman to the east, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the south and the west, and the emirate of Dubai to the northeast. The three main regions of the emirate are:

• the city of Abu Dhabi
• Al Ain in the east
• Al Dhafrah in the west.

Abu Dhabi city: It is home to most ministries and foreign embassies, in addition to Zayed Port and Zayed International Airport. Abu Dhabi city is connected to the mainland by four bridges: Maqta bridge, Mussafah bridge, Sheikh Zayed bridge and Sheikh Khalifa bridge.

Al Ain region: It is located in the eastern part of the emirate, Al Ain is an area with highly fertile land and is renowned for its farms. To its south lies Jebel Hafeet, which rises 1,240 metres above sea level and making it the highest peak in the emirate and the second highest in the United Arab Emirates.

Al Dhafra region: The region includes extensive man-made forests planted to combat desertification, as well as several onshore oil fields. Al Dhafra Region has seven main cities: Liwa, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Ruwais, Mirfa, Sila and Delma Island.

Workforce

Abu Dhabi Census 2024 has seen a 9.1 per cent increase in the number of employed residents since 2023, bringing the total to 2,762,715.

The employed workforce comprises:

• 44.8 per cent white-collar workers – a group that has seen a 6.4 per cent surge since 2023, and
• 55.2 per cent blue-collar workers – a group that has experienced 11.4 per cent growth compared to 2023.

This reflects the significant shift of Abu Dhabi’s position as a preferred destination for business, investment and highly skilled talents.

Real estate

Abu Dhabi has seen a 3.9 per cent increase in the number of residential and non-residential units since 2023, totalling 783,970 units.

Of these, residential units account for 59.5 per cent with 466,700 units, while non-residential units make up the remaining 40.5 per cent with 317,270 units.

Such growth is a testament to the positive effects of the continuous infrastructure developments undertaken by the emirate in recent years.

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Economy

Before 1958, the emirate’s main industry was the export of pearls. Since the discovery of oil, Abu Dhabi is one of the world’s leading producers of energy. According to official data of 2023, Abu Dhabi has seen a 300 per cent increase in foreign investment since 2011. And in 2024, GDP grew to AED 1.2 trillion (nearly USD 326 billion), an increase of 3.8 per cent compared to 2023 figures.

The emirate is also a pioneer in the global alternative and renewable energy industry. It is home to the world’s largest single-site solar photovoltaic (PV) plant, Al Dhafra Solar PV. Leading renewables incubator Masdar City and the Arab region’s first nuclear energy facility, Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant are also located in Abu Dhabi. The emirate plans to rely on renewable energy to generate 50 per cent of its power needs by 2030.

Through its leading international financial centre, Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the emirate is advancing its position on the global financial map. ADGM is home to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange (ADX), the largest stock exchange in the UAE by market capitalisation, as well as a dedicated crude oil commodity derivatives exchange at ICE Futures Abu Dhabi, which trades ADNOC's flagship Murban Abu Dhabi crude oil futures contracts, alongside ADNOC’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas. ADGM hosts a thriving ecosystem for fintech startups and SMEs.

In May 2025, S&P Global Ratings reaffirmed its AA/A-1+ sovereign credit ratings on Abu Dhabi, which reflects the expectation that the emirate’s economy will remain strong over the next period. The latest Moody’s and Fitch ratings have also affirmed a stable outlook for Abu Dhabi.

Touristic importance

The Abu Dhabi way of life is built upon cultural values of diversity, inclusivity and tolerance. Home to more than 200 nationalities, the emirate offers a world-class quality of life where modernity exists in harmony with traditional Emirati hospitality.

Abu Dhabi prides itself on its heritage and tribal history, which stretches back more than two millennia. The preservation and promotion of its history, culture and natural wonders in a rapidly growing economy has allowed modern artistic expression to blend with human values of diversity, inclusivity and harmony.

This is particularly evident at Louvre Abu Dhabi, the first museum in the world to explore our shared humanity by highlighting similarities across civilisations. The museum has laid the groundwork for a new type of cultural collaboration centred on the creation of the first universal museum.

The emirate’s commitment to tolerance and interfaith harmony is also seen in the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, a masterpiece of modern Islamic architecture and design, open to people of all faiths and beliefs, as well as the Abrahamic Family House, where a mosque, church and synagogue share the same ground.

Abu Dhabi has become a centre for world-class sporting events, such as: the Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the prestigious Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge cross-country rally and the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

In addition, the emirate is rich in natural wonders, including the famous scenic Liwa oasis in the south of the emirate, which is home to some of the largest sand dunes in the world. Also, Al Ain region (as also known as the Garden City) is located in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet, and is home to several heritage sites.

Find out more about tourism and culture in Abu Dhabi:

• Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
• VisitAbuDhabi.ae - the official tourism portal of Abu Dhabi.

Ruling family and governance

The ruling Al Nahyan family descends from a sub-section of Bani Yas tribe, known as Al Bu Falah. They originally lived in the Liwa oasis and settled in Abu Dhabi in 1793 where they lived in Qasr Al Hosn for almost two centuries.

H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, is the third President of the UAE, since 14 May 2022, succeeding his late brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who ruled from 2004 to 2022.

H. H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. On 29 March 2023, H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, in his capacity as Ruler of Abu Dhabi, issued an Emiri decree appointing Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan as the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The Council serves as the executive authority of Abu Dhabi Government, supporting the emirate’s ruler in enforcing local and federal decrees.

The council comprises the chairmen of various government departments in Abu Dhabi, who are responsible for overseeing the progress of government-led projects, advancing service development and enhancing the overall performance and efficiency of the government throughout the emirate.

Useful links:

• List of Abu Dhabi Government's departments - Abu Dhabi eGovernment Gateway
• Government of Abu Dhabi
• Abu Dhabi Media Office
• Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development