UAE Turns Quality of Life into a Powerful Driver of Economic and Real Estate Growth

The UAE is increasingly positioning quality of life as a key part of its long-term economic strategy, with investment in infrastructure, public services, safety, mobility and urban planning helping create an environment that attracts residents, businesses and international capital.

This approach was highlighted during LIVEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi, which attracted approximately 26,500 visitors from 50 countries, including more than 1,500 investors. The event concluded with more than 50 agreements and initiatives valued at over AED 150 billion, reflecting continued confidence in Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s future development.

Safety remains an important part of this environment. In 2026, Abu Dhabi ranked as the world’s safest city for the tenth consecutive year according to Numbeo, while Gallup findings showed that 90% of people across the UAE reported feeling safe walking alone at night.

At the same time, Abu Dhabi is incorporating liveability directly into its approach to urban development. The Livability by Design Framework, introduced by the Department of Municipalities and Transport in 2026, integrates factors including walkability, accessibility, mobility, public spaces and high-quality public realm design into major developments accommodating more than 2,000 people.

Significant investment is also being directed towards community infrastructure. More than 60 projects worth AED 12 billion have supported Abu Dhabi’s Liveability Strategy, including over 200 parks and sports courts, 24 schools, 21 mosques, 28 community majlises, nearly 120 kilometres of walking paths and 283 kilometres of cycling tracks. A further AED 42 billion has been allocated to expand the strategy.

The impact is also reflected in Abu Dhabi’s property market. During the first half of 2026, total real estate transactions reached AED 117 billion, representing a 112% year-on-year increase in value. Foreign direct investment reached AED 13.8 billion, with investors representing 116 nationalities.

Residential sales alone reached AED 70.4 billion, while approximately 233,000 active residential lease contracts worth AED 9.3 billion were recorded across the emirate.

Beyond physical development, Abu Dhabi is also strengthening its real estate ecosystem through digitalisation, regulatory transparency and innovation. Artificial intelligence, property technology, smart mobility, digital planning and data-driven services are becoming increasingly integrated into the way cities and communities are developed and managed.

The broader shift highlights how quality of life is becoming more than a social objective for the UAE. By combining safety, infrastructure, services, sustainable communities and a transparent investment environment, the country is using liveability as a competitive advantage to attract talent, encourage long-term residency and support continued economic and real estate growth.