The Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi announced that the population of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi has reached 3,789,860 according to the main results of the Abu Dhabi 2023 census, which for the first time relies entirely on administrative records, representing an 83% increase compared to 2011. The results show that the number of males in the emirate reached 2,541,465, accounting for 67% of the total population, while the total number of females was 1,248,395, making up 33%. The emirate is characterized by a diverse population, with a median age of 33 years according to the census data.
The figures indicate that the Abu Dhabi region has the largest population, with 2,495,925 residents representing 66% of the total population of the emirate, followed by the Al Ain region with a population of 1,009,735, accounting for 27%, and the Al Dhafra region with 284,205 residents, or 7%.
In light of economic growth and the shift towards a knowledge-based economy, the census results revealed that the number of working individuals rose to 2,522,390, an increase of 82% compared to 2011, reflecting the achievements of the emirate as a global destination for business, investment, and talent. The number of workers varied, with white-collar workers representing 46%, an increase of 109% compared to 2011, and blue-collar workers representing 54%, a 65% increase from 2011, highlighting the success of government plans and strategies to attract skilled labor to the emirate.
According to the main census results, the number of real estate units in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi increased by 66% compared to 2011, reaching 754,555 units; among them, 441,410 are residential units (58%), and 313,150 are non-residential units (42%), reflecting the success of investment plans and infrastructure development adopted by the emirate in recent years.
Ahmed Tamim Al-Kitbi, Chairman of the Government Empowerment Department and Chairman of the Supreme Census Committee, emphasized the importance of the support provided by His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which was crucial to the success of the Abu Dhabi 2023 census as the first population count to rely entirely on administrative records and was executed with the highest levels of coordination and integration among the relevant government entities.
He added: "The population census provides up-to-date and modern databases about the population and their characteristics and geographical distribution, in addition to documenting families in the emirate, which is an important step towards enhancing national efforts to elevate service levels and support comprehensive development plans, and achieve social welfare in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. The census provides essential data to support the decision-making process, monitor changes and trends relied upon by government entities in formulating economic and social programs and policies, in addition to supporting the private sector and investors with accurate data that enhance investment in the emirate."
Abdullah Gharib Al-Qamzi, Acting Director General of the Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi, confirmed the center's commitment to keeping pace with the comprehensive strategic transformations taking place in the emirate across all fields. He added that the center aims to align the statistical system with the targets of digital transformation in the emirate and support the work environment with ideal procedures for managing and governing the population census data for 2023.
The pillars of this mechanism include developing digital infrastructure, utilizing innovative solutions, employing artificial intelligence technologies, and adopting best practices and technical methodologies to implement the census. With the support and cooperation of the concerned government entities, the center succeeded in enhancing integration and coordination to link and merge administrative records with the statistical data at the center, which significantly contributed to ensuring the quality and comprehensiveness of the 2023 census outputs.
The Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi is committed to applying advanced standards for data governance, ensuring the highest levels of privacy and confidentiality through an integrated statistical system. The center praised the positive interaction and cooperation of its partners in conducting the Abu Dhabi 2023 census as the first population count based on administrative records. This census is characterized by providing time and effort savings, which allows its future execution within shorter time frames than the traditional duration ranging from five to ten years.
The Statistics Center – Abu Dhabi is working on developing a comprehensive and advanced statistical system built on unifying and organizing all aspects of statistical work in the emirate, constructing statistical frameworks for all activities and sectors, updating them regularly, and providing technical oversight. The center adopts advanced techniques for data collection and analysis and provides predictive statistics to support decision-makers, researchers, planners, and the public.
