According to recently released data from the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD), the city of Abu Dhabi’s population increased by 7.5 percent in 2024, reaching 4,135,985 individuals.
This growth rate significantly outpaces that of well-known global financial hubs, demonstrating Abu Dhabi’s enhanced standing as a top location for enterprises, investments, and experts from around the world.
From 2.7 million in 2014 to over 4.1 million in 2024, the emirate’s population has grown by 51% in the last ten years. The emirate’s successful diversification strategy is demonstrated by the sustained demographic expansion and notable economic achievements, such as GDP growth of 3.8 percent last year to an all-time high of AED1.2 trillion, driven by non-oil sectors that grew by 6.2 percent to account for 54.7 percent of the total economic output.
Ahmed Tamim Hisham Al Kuttab, Chairman of the Department of Government Enablement – Abu Dhabi and Chairman of SCAD, said, “Abu Dhabi’s sustained population growth reflects the government’s success in creating an environment that attracts international talent and investment. Through strategic policy development and infrastructure investment, Abu Dhabi has established itself as a leading destination for professionals seeking growth opportunities in a stable, innovative environment.
He went on to say that Abu Dhabi’s talent-first approach is validated by the population growth of 7.5%. The government and its leadership have shown time and again that in today’s information economy, the brightest professionals will be drawn to communities that provide real innovation opportunities, such as pioneering AI-native governance, along with top-notch healthcare and safety standards.
“Abu Dhabi is not competing in the traditional talent market—the emirate is creating an entirely new category as a global career destination,” Al Kuttab stated.
Abu Dhabi’s transformation into the first AI-native government in the world is made possible by its expanding population. The emirate is leading the way in data-driven governance, which foresees citizen requirements before they materialize and maximizes service delivery through artificial intelligence and sophisticated analytics, as part of the Abu Dhabi Government Digital Strategy 2025–2027.
The need for experts in domains that blend traditional knowledge with cutting-edge technological capabilities, such as digital governance, policy analytics, service design, and technology integration, is being created by these projects. These positions are a reflection of how career prospects have changed in an increasingly digital environment.
In 2024, the workforce in the emirate grew by 9.1%, with increases in all skill levels. Abu Dhabi’s ongoing shift toward knowledge-based sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), technology, financial services, and sophisticated manufacturing is reflected in the 6.4% increase in professional roles. The demographic profile speaks for itself: 54% of the population is between the ages of 25 and 44, when they are most productive, making this one of the most economically dynamic talent pools in the world.
Record-breaking investment flows demonstrate the international faith in Abu Dhabi’s talent plan. The market capitalization of the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange surpassed AED 3 trillion, solidifying its place among the top 20 stock markets globally.
The assets under management (AUM), operational entities, and personnel under ADGM’s control increased by 245 percent, 32 percent, and 39 percent, respectively, in 2024.
According to 2023 data, foreign investment has increased by 300 percent since 2011, and the emirate had a 16 percent rise in business licenses granted in 2024 alone.
Abu Dhabi has established an atmosphere where citizens and businesses can flourish with confidence, drawing in the international talent necessary to spearhead the knowledge economy. In 2025, it will be the most livable city in MENA for the seventh consecutive year and the safest city in the world for nine years in a row.
Deliberate strategic decisions are the reason for Abu Dhabi’s success in attracting top talent from around the world. The AED107.4 billion in construction projects planned for 2024 show the emirate’s dedication to building a physical space where top talent from across the world wishes to live and work, backed by first-rate amenities and all-encompassing urban growth.
Abu Dhabi population statistics, including the findings of the 2023 Abu Dhabi Census, are subject to frequent adjustment under the Statistical adjustment Policy in accordance with the register-based census methodology.
This strategy reflects the ongoing development of methodological frameworks, the integration of new data sources, and the constant improvement of data quality in accordance with global best practices.
With these enhancements, the updated 2023 population estimate is now 3,847,585, guaranteeing increased precision and conformity to the changing administrative data environment.
