Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Residents in the UAE continue to report strong levels of safety, optimism and belonging, with many viewing the country as a stable long-term home, according to a new study by Cigna Healthcare.
The company's "Wellbeing & Health Pulse in the UAE" survey, released on Thursday, was conducted in April 2026 among 380 respondents across the country.
According to the report, residents continue to report "moderately strong" levels of wellbeing with an average score of 70%.
The findings also suggest many residents still view the UAE as a stable long-term home, even amid regional tensions and economic pressures.
About 89% of respondents reported feeling physically safe in the UAE, while 83% said they feel emotionally safe. Nearly four in five respondents (79%) said they remain optimistic about the near future despite the current situation.
The survey also found that 86% of residents feel "at home" in the UAE, while 79% said they can recover quickly after hardship.
Long-term residency intentions also remained strong, with 48% of respondents saying they plan to stay in the UAE for more than 10 years, while 21% expect to remain for between six and 10 years.
"People feel safe, connected and optimistic about the future, even during a period of regional conflict and wider uncertainty," said Leah Cotterill, CEO of Cigna Healthcare Middle East and Africa. "That is an important signal of resilience and confidence in the UAE."
Family wellbeing recorded the highest score in the survey at 80%, outperforming the study's other measures of physical, mental, financial, social and workplace wellbeing.
Eighty-five percent of respondents said their family supports one another during difficult times, while 84% described home as a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Social wellbeing also ranked highly at 76%, with 81% of respondents saying they are able to adapt when change occurs.
Financial wellbeing scored 53% overall, with 45% of respondents saying they feel able to cope with rising costs and 49% expressing confidence in managing their income and expenses.
