Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE is the highest-ranked Arab country on the 2026 Good Life Index, outperforming all other Gulf states and several advanced economies.
The index, compiled by the London-based advisory firm CS Global Partners, placed the UAE 22nd globally with a score of 83.2, ahead of countries including Italy, South Korea, and Poland.
At the top of the global ranking, Norway and Germany shared first place with scores of 89.9, followed by Switzerland (89.5), Finland (89.1), and Sweden (89).
Among Arab countries, Qatar ranked 34th, followed by Saudi Arabia (37th), Bahrain (41st), Kuwait (44th), and Oman (45th).
Further down the regional rankings were Jordan (76th, tied with Libya), Algeria (78th), Tunisia (79th), Egypt (82nd), the Palestinian Territory (91st), Lebanon (92nd), Morocco (95th), Iraq (104th), Syria (123rd), and Yemen (145th).
Infrastructure, Healthcare and Education
According to the report, the UAE’s position reflects a combination of advanced infrastructure, a cosmopolitan standard of living, and growing environmental policy ambitions.
“The UAE’s standing is not merely a reflection of oil wealth. It is evidence of deliberate, sustained investment in the full spectrum of human wellbeing,” CS Global Partners said.
Healthcare is identified as one of the index’s key pillars. The UAE operates a mandatory health insurance system designed to provide broad access to medical services for citizens and expatriates.
Hospitals in Abu Dhabi and Dubai attract international medical professionals and are generally considered among the region’s better-equipped facilities.
The UAE ranks 15th globally and first in the Arab region in UNDP’s 2025 Human Development Index report, with an average life expectancy of approximately 82.9 to 83.4 years.
It is the only Arab nation in the top 20, exceeding many developed countries in longevity.
CS Global Partners also highlighted the UAE’s rapid COVID-19 vaccine rollout during the pandemic as an example of institutional capacity in public health management.
The UAE has also invested heavily in developing its education sector.
The country hosts international branch campuses such as New York University, Sorbonne University, and Heriot-Watt University, alongside a range of internationally accredited colleges. The government has set a goal of placing the UAE among the world’s leading education systems by 2031.
Home to more than 200 nationalities, the UAE offers no personal income tax and provides businesses operating in designated free zones with zero-tariff conditions.
The report noted that the country’s transport networks, airports, ports and digital infrastructure are widely considered among the most developed globally.
Residents also frequently cite low crime rates and personal safety as important factors in choosing to live in the Emirates.
These conditions, the index said, reflect consistent governance priorities and a stable social environment.
Environmental Initiatives
The report also highlighted the UAE’s growing environmental agenda.
Major projects include the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai, one of the world’s largest single-site solar installations, and the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, the first operational nuclear power station in the Arab world.
Sustainable urban initiatives include the development of Masdar City in Abu Dhabi, alongside programmes focused on mangrove restoration, marine conservation, and water recycling.
