MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE ranked 13th globally and first in Western Asia in the 2026 Global Human Prosperity Index published by CEOWORLD Magazine.
The index assesses 193 countries on how effectively they convert economic resources into measurable improvements in quality of life. It draws on indicators including life expectancy, education, per capita income, political stability and access to opportunity, grouping countries into tiers ranging from "Elite Prosperity" to "Fragile Prosperity."
With a score of 94.06, the UAE was placed in the "Elite Prosperity" tier, which includes 31 of the world's highest-performing economies. Its result put it ahead of all other countries in Western Asia, pointing to its relative regional lead in institutional stability, human capital development, and long-term economic planning.
Switzerland kept first place in the 2026 index with a score of 97.92, followed by Iceland, and Australia. The rest of the top tier was dominated by advanced economies in Europe and the Asia-Pacific, including Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Unlike rankings centred mainly on GDP or national income, the index evaluates whether economic growth translates into long-term social wellbeing.
The UAE's performance reflects a development model shaped by diversification and public investment in people and infrastructure.
The Central Bank of the UAE projects GDP growth of 5.6% in 2026, driven largely by non-oil activity. Non-oil GDP is expected to grow by about 5.1%, with financial and insurance services, manufacturing, construction and real estate among the main contributors.
That economic base has been supported by sustained investment in education and skills.
The UAE has expanded its higher education ecosystem through domestic institutions and international branch campuses, including Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence, New York University Abu Dhabi and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.
In labour market competitiveness, the UAE also ranked ninth globally in the latest 2025 IMD World Talent Ranking, which assesses countries on their ability to attract and retain skilled workers, labour market flexibility, and education quality.
To support talent inflows, the UAE has introduced structural changes to its residency and investment framework.
The Golden Visa programme, launched in 2019, offers renewable five- and 10-year residency permits to investors, entrepreneurs, highly skilled professionals, researchers and outstanding students. Changes to the Commercial Companies Law in 2021, meanwhile, allowed 100% foreign ownership of mainland companies, removing the earlier requirement for a 51% Emirati shareholder or agent.
The UAE also ranks among the world's safest countries.
In the 2026 Numbeo Safety Index, it ranked first globally for the second year in a row with a score of 86. Abu Dhabi was named the world's safest city for the 10th consecutive year, followed by Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Dubai and Fujairah. The ranking is based on user-reported perceptions of safety and crime levels across cities worldwide.
Infrastructure investment remains a central pillar of the country's economic model.
In 2025, Abu Dhabi announced plans to invest Dh240 billion (approximately $65.4 billion) in infrastructure over the next 7 to 10 years, covering transport, urban development, utilities, and related sectors, with increased participation from private capital.
Dubai also approved a 2026 federal budget cycle with total expenditure of Dh99.5 billion in 2026, with around 48% allocated to infrastructure projects, including transport networks, roads, and public mobility systems.