emirates7 - According to newly released figures from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD), the emirate recorded a 7.5% population growth in 2024, bringing the total number of residents to 4,135,985. This significant increase surpasses the growth seen in established global financial hubs and highlights Abu Dhabi's growing appeal as a top destination for global professionals, investors, and businesses.
Over the past ten years, Abu Dhabi's population has surged by 51%, rising from 2.7 million in 2014 to over 4.1 million in 2024. This steady demographic rise aligns with robust economic performance, including a 3.8% GDP growth last year, reaching a record AED 1.2 trillion. The expansion was largely driven by non-oil sectors, which grew 6.2% and contributed 54.7% of the total GDP—underscoring the success of the emirate’s economic diversification strategy.
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and SCAD, stated that this continued population increase is a testament to the government’s effective policies in attracting international talent and investment. He attributed this success to strategic planning and significant investment in infrastructure, which have helped position Abu Dhabi as an innovation-driven, stable, and opportunity-rich environment.
Al Kuttab emphasized that the 7.5% population rise supports the emirate’s talent-first approach. He noted that Abu Dhabi is redefining global competition for talent, not just participating in it, by offering cutting-edge opportunities in fields such as AI governance, alongside exceptional standards in healthcare and public safety.
He further highlighted that this demographic momentum underpins Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to become the world’s first AI-native government. Through the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, the emirate is advancing toward anticipatory, data-driven governance powered by artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance service delivery.
This vision is driving demand for experts in areas like digital governance, policy analytics, and technology integration—roles that blend traditional skill sets with digital expertise. These emerging professions are central to the emirate’s evolution in the digital economy.
In 2024, the labour force in Abu Dhabi grew by 9.1%, with professional roles rising by 6.4%. This reflects the emirate's transformation into a knowledge-based economy, particularly in sectors such as AI, technology, finance, and advanced manufacturing. With 54% of residents aged between 25 and 44—the prime working-age group—Abu Dhabi is home to one of the most dynamic and productive populations globally.
The emirate’s strategic approach to talent attraction is mirrored in record-breaking investment indicators. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reached a market capitalisation of over AED 3 trillion, ranking it among the top 20 stock markets worldwide.
At the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), assets under management saw a 245% rise, with a 32% increase in operating firms and 39% of its workforce operating within the financial centre in 2024.
Foreign direct investment has surged 300% since 2011, and the number of newly issued economic licences in 2024 grew by 16%, further validating investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s economic model.
Recognised as the world’s safest city for nine consecutive years and the most liveable city in the MENA region for seven years running, Abu Dhabi offers a secure, high-quality living environment that appeals to global talent and enterprise.
The commitment to nurturing this environment is further evident in the AED 107.4 billion worth of construction activity recorded in 2024—supporting urban development and providing top-tier infrastructure and amenities.
Population data in Abu Dhabi, derived using a register-based census model and reflected in the findings of the 2023 census, is subject to regular updates under SCAD’s Statistical Revision Policy. This ensures continuous improvement in data accuracy through integration of new sources and alignment with global standards.
Following these revisions, the adjusted population figure for 2023 is now 3,847,585, better reflecting the emirate’s current administrative records and methodological refinements.
Over the past ten years, Abu Dhabi's population has surged by 51%, rising from 2.7 million in 2014 to over 4.1 million in 2024. This steady demographic rise aligns with robust economic performance, including a 3.8% GDP growth last year, reaching a record AED 1.2 trillion. The expansion was largely driven by non-oil sectors, which grew 6.2% and contributed 54.7% of the total GDP—underscoring the success of the emirate’s economic diversification strategy.
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and SCAD, stated that this continued population increase is a testament to the government’s effective policies in attracting international talent and investment. He attributed this success to strategic planning and significant investment in infrastructure, which have helped position Abu Dhabi as an innovation-driven, stable, and opportunity-rich environment.
Al Kuttab emphasized that the 7.5% population rise supports the emirate’s talent-first approach. He noted that Abu Dhabi is redefining global competition for talent, not just participating in it, by offering cutting-edge opportunities in fields such as AI governance, alongside exceptional standards in healthcare and public safety.
He further highlighted that this demographic momentum underpins Abu Dhabi’s ambitions to become the world’s first AI-native government. Through the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027, the emirate is advancing toward anticipatory, data-driven governance powered by artificial intelligence and analytics to enhance service delivery.
This vision is driving demand for experts in areas like digital governance, policy analytics, and technology integration—roles that blend traditional skill sets with digital expertise. These emerging professions are central to the emirate’s evolution in the digital economy.
In 2024, the labour force in Abu Dhabi grew by 9.1%, with professional roles rising by 6.4%. This reflects the emirate's transformation into a knowledge-based economy, particularly in sectors such as AI, technology, finance, and advanced manufacturing. With 54% of residents aged between 25 and 44—the prime working-age group—Abu Dhabi is home to one of the most dynamic and productive populations globally.
The emirate’s strategic approach to talent attraction is mirrored in record-breaking investment indicators. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange reached a market capitalisation of over AED 3 trillion, ranking it among the top 20 stock markets worldwide.
At the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), assets under management saw a 245% rise, with a 32% increase in operating firms and 39% of its workforce operating within the financial centre in 2024.
Foreign direct investment has surged 300% since 2011, and the number of newly issued economic licences in 2024 grew by 16%, further validating investor confidence in Abu Dhabi’s economic model.
Recognised as the world’s safest city for nine consecutive years and the most liveable city in the MENA region for seven years running, Abu Dhabi offers a secure, high-quality living environment that appeals to global talent and enterprise.
The commitment to nurturing this environment is further evident in the AED 107.4 billion worth of construction activity recorded in 2024—supporting urban development and providing top-tier infrastructure and amenities.
Population data in Abu Dhabi, derived using a register-based census model and reflected in the findings of the 2023 census, is subject to regular updates under SCAD’s Statistical Revision Policy. This ensures continuous improvement in data accuracy through integration of new sources and alignment with global standards.
Following these revisions, the adjusted population figure for 2023 is now 3,847,585, better reflecting the emirate’s current administrative records and methodological refinements.