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Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate in the UAE and Abu Dhabi city in the emirate is the federal capital of the UAE. In addition to the abundance of oil and natural gas reserves, the emirate is diversifying its economy and investing in infrastructure, tourism, transport, health and education in line with Abu Dhabi 2030 economic plan.
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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 2023 data, the population of Abu Dhabi reached 3,789,860, showing an increase of 83 per cent since 2011.

The number of males reached 2,541,465, representing 67 per cent of the total population, whilst the number of females reached 1,248,395, representing 33%.

Read related news coverage.

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.

In the eastern region, to the south of Al Ain city is Jebel Hafeet - the emirate's highest peak (1,240 metres).

Al Dhafrah has seven main cities: Liwa, Madinat Zayed, Ghayathi, Ruwais, Mirfa, Sila and Delma Island.

The city of Abu Dhabi is connected to the mainland by four bridges: Maqta bridge, Mussafah bridge, Sheikh Zayed bridge and Sheikh Khalifa bridge.

Workforce

Abu Dhabi has seen a substantial 82 per cent increase in the number of employed residents since 2011, bringing the total to 2,522,390.

The employed workforce comprises:

46 per cent white-collar workers - a group that has seen a 109 per cent surge since 2011, and

54 per cent blue-collar workers - a group that has experienced 65 per cent growth compared to 2011.

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

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Real Estate

Abu Dhabi has seen a 66 per cent increase in the number of residential and non-residential units since 2011, totaling 754,555 units.

Of these, residential units account for 58 per cent with 441,410 units, while non-residential units make up the remaining 42 per cent with 313,145 units.

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

Read related news coverage.

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, Abu Dhabi has seen a 300 per cent increase in foreign investment since 2011. With a GDP of USD 310 billion achieved in 2023, Abu Dhabi's GDP represents 68% of the UAE's total GDP.

The emirate is also a pioneer in the global alternative and renewable energy industry. It is home to one of the world’s largest solar energy fields at Noor Abu Dhabi and the Arab world’s first nuclear energy plant, Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. It is a major developer of clean energy technology and sustainable urban developments through Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar). 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 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 that help benchmark global crude oil prices, and a thriving ecosystem of fintech startups and SMEs.

In May 2024, S&P Global Ratings affirmed 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.

Source: Government of Abu Dhabi

Census 2023 results confirm Abu Dhabi's position as a preferred destination for living, working and doing business – Abu Dhabi Media Office

Read about Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 (PDF 273 KB).

Touristic importance

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

In addition, the city houses the world's largest concentration of premier cultural institutions which includes the Sheikh Zayed National Museum, the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi and Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Abu Dhabi is rich in natural wonders too. While the emirate's famous Liwa oasis in the south of the emirate is home to some of the largest and most beautiful sand dunes in the world, the garden city of Al Ain in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet 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

Abu Dhabi is ruled by H. H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is also the President of the UAE since 14 May 2022.

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.

Abu Dhabi has an Executive Council, under which separate departments function like ministries. It also has several autonomous agencies with clearly specified powers and a 60-member National Consultative Council comprising representatives of the main tribes. Al Ain and Al Dhafrah regions of the emirate and its oil terminal of Das are headed by the rulers' representatives, while its main cities, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, are administered by municipalities. A municipal authority for the western region has been created.

List of Abu Dhabi Government's departments - The Abu Dhabi eGovernment Gateway

Useful links:

Government of Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi Government Media Office

Department of Economic Development.

Updated on 09 Jul 2024