Abu Dhabi’s population surged by 7.5 per cent in 2024, reaching 4,135,985, fresh figures from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi reveal. This marks a 51 per cent increase since 2014, reinforcing the emirate’s status as a magnet for global professionals and investment, outpacing many established financial centres.
That population increase was driven by a 9.1 per cent expansion in the workforce, with professional roles rising 6.4 per cent. The demographic profile shows 54 per cent of residents are aged between 25 and 44, underscoring a core group of skilled labour in their prime.
Economic indicators mirror demographic strength. In 2024, Abu Dhabi’s GDP climbed 3.8 per cent, reaching a record AED 1.2 trillion. Non‑oil sectors, which now dominate at 54.7 per cent of total output, grew by 6.2 per cent, highlighting the success of diversification policies.
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and SCAD, described the emirate’s talent-centric model as pivotal: “Abu Dhabi’s sustained population growth reflects the government’s success in creating an environment that attracts international talent and investment… It is creating an entirely new category as a global career destination.”
Urban expansion continues apace to meet demographic demand. The number of buildings rose from 281,780 in 2023 to 299,360 in 2024, while residential units increased by nearly 30,000. This construction surge—valued at AED 107.4 billion last year—aims to support a growing populace and underpin future development.
Abu Dhabi is also moving towards becoming the world’s first AI‑native government. The 2025–27 digital strategy prioritises data‑driven governance, predictive services and advanced analytics, stimulating demand for specialists in digital governance, policy analytics, service design and technology integration.
The emirate’s rising appeal extends to the financial sector, with the Abu Dhabi Global Market experiencing a 245 per cent growth in assets under management and a 32 per cent increase in registered firms. Leading global financial entities—such as BlackRock, Morgan Stanley and Circle—have established operations in ADGM. The number of licences issued surged by 67 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, pushing the total number of firms beyond 2,380.
Economists highlight the benefits of labour inflows. Dr Ilya Kashnitsky of Statistics Denmark noted that Abu Dhabi “is on the beneficial side of migration” as it secures skilled professionals in peak working age—an advantage over regions grappling with out-migration. Dr Alexandra Gomes of the London School of Economics emphasised that to prevent urban sprawl, future growth must include improved public transport options that reduce car dependence.
International investors have taken notice. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange surpassed AED 3 trillion in market capitalisation, ranking among the world’s top 20 exchanges. Foreign direct investment has risen by 300 per cent since 2011, with economic licences jumping 16 per cent in 2024.
Abu Dhabi continues to claim global honours: ranked the world’s safest city for nine years in a row and most liveable in the Middle East and North Africa for a seventh year running in 2025. Its growing population provides the critical human capital necessary to sustain these achievements.
This demographic and economic momentum is part of a tightly co-ordinated strategy. Government investment in digital infrastructure, coupled with urban planning and economic incentives, has created a compelling proposition for workers and investors alike—fueling Abu Dhabi’s evolution into a modern, diversified powerhouse.
