Today's Edition
YOUSUF SAIFUDDIN (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi has started the new year 2026 with another badge of honour after being named the safest city in the world for the 10th consecutive year, according to Numbeo's 2026 Crime Index released earlier this week.
The annual Numbeo index assesses global perceptions of safety based on resident surveys covering perceptions of crime, personal safety during day and night, concerns over specific criminal activity, and the extent of property and violent crimes. Cities with a crime index below 20 are considered among the world’s safest.
In a striking show of national performance, five UAE cities featured in the global top 10.
Ranking first out of 400 global cities in the 2026 standings – at the beginning of the year - Abu Dhabi has held Numbeo’s title of the world’s safest city for a decade now, reflecting the emirate’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of life for citizens, residents and visitors. The emirate recorded a crime index score of just 11.1 and a global-high safety index of 88.9, retaining the top position among 400 cities surveyed worldwide.
Ras Al-Khaimah ranked second with a safety index of 86.6, with the crime index falling to 13.4 from 16.3 in 2025, while Ajman ranked third with a safety index of 86.5 and a crime index of 13.5 from 17.1 in 2025. Sharjah also made it to the top ten, landing at the fifth position with a safety index of 84.5 and a crime index score of 15.5. Meanwhile, Dubai ranked sixth with a safety index of 83.9 and a crime index score of 16.1.
All five UAE cities on the list not only posted scores well under the 20-point threshold, but also witnessed a significant fall in the crime index score compared to the previous year.
Broader Recognition for UAE’s Safety Record
The UAE’s reputation for security extends beyond city rankings. In Gallup’s Law and Order Index published in 2024, the country ranked as the 12th safest globally, scoring 90 points.
The country also ranked as the 10th safest country in the world for walking alone at night, climbing two places, according to Gallup’s 2025 Global Safety Report.
According to the poll, 90% of UAE residents reported feeling safe walking alone. Gallup’s 2025 Global Safety Report also showed the UAE climbing two places to become the 10th safest country for walking alone at night. According to the poll, an overwhelming 90% of UAE residents reported feeling safe walking alone.
The safe conditions have not gone unnoticed by international travellers. A recent survey by Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection found that Gen Z travellers in the US ranked the UAE as the safest destination to visit in 2026.
The country rose from 18th to 7th in the overall safety ranking, placing ahead of traditionally high-ranking countries such as Switzerland, Japan and the UK. It was also the only country from the Gulf or wider Middle East to appear in the top 10 list. The Netherlands claimed the top spot, followed by Iceland, Norway and New Zealand.
Released ahead of the year-end travel season, the report highlighted the UAE's growing appeal among young, safety-conscious travellers, with the country ranked as the safest destination by Gen Z respondents.
"The UAE's persistent travel marketing is paying dividends with the youngest and most travel-happy of all demographic groups," the Berkshire Hathaway Travel Protection survey said.
When it comes to the rule of law, the UAE has also topped the MENA region in the World Justice Project's 2025 Rule of Law Index, ranking 37th out of the 143 countries surveyed worldwide. It scored 0.64 points on the overall index, an increase of 0.7% compared to 2024.
