Quality of Life
EIU Global Liveability Index
| City | 2025 rank and score | 2026 rank and score |
|---|---|---|
| Abu Dhabi | 72nd, 83.3 | 76th, 81 |
| Dubai | 75th, 82.5 | 79th, 80 |
Source: EIU: Global Liveability Index 2025; EIU: Global Liveability Index 20262,1
The EIU scores 173 cities on 30 indicators in five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure. It says the Iran war undermined stability across the Gulf in 2026.1
What expats say
| Expat Insider 2025 index | UAE rank of 46 |
|---|---|
| Overall | 7th |
| Quality of Life | 2nd |
| Expat Essentials (admin, housing, language, digital life) | 1st |
| Working Abroad | 5th |
| Ease of Settling In | 11th |
| Personal Finance | 24th |
Source: InterNations: Expat Insider 2025, the UAE3
- Healthcare is easy to find (6th) and of high quality (3rd), but its cost ranks 25th.
- Personal safety ranks 1st, and 87% of respondents rate political stability positively.
- The natural environment ranks 42nd of 46.
Source: InterNations: Expat Insider 2025, Quality of Life Index4
InterNations surveyed 10,085 expats in 46 countries for the 2025 report.5
Survey rankings reflect opinions at one point in time. Visit before you move, and budget for school fees and health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the UAE rank for quality of life?
In the EIU Global Liveability Index 2026, Abu Dhabi ranked 76th and Dubai 79th of 173 cities, both down four places because of the regional conflict. In the Expat Insider 2025 survey, the UAE ranked 2nd of 46 countries for quality of life and 7th overall.
Sources
- EIU: Global Liveability Index 2026 (PDF)
- EIU: Global Liveability Index 2025 (PDF)
- InterNations: Expat Insider 2025, the UAE
- InterNations: Expat Insider 2025, Quality of Life Index
- The National: UAE ranked seventh for expats in 2025
Figures checked 21 October 2026. Prepared by Invest-Emirates.ae for general information. It is not investment, tax or legal advice; please confirm details with a qualified adviser before acting.