World Happiness Report-2024

The UAE was ranked 22nd globally in the World Happiness Report -2024 (PDF, 1 MB), up from 26th place in 2023. Moreover, it was ranked second regionally.

The report focused on the happiness of people at different stages of life, revealing that senior citizens are the happiest group in the UAE.

UN World Happiness Report 2020

The United Arab Emirates maintained its first place among the Arab countries for the sixth consecutive year, according to World Happiness Report 2020 (PDF, 500 KB). The UAE maintained its advanced position globally and surpassed many developed countries and economies in the global report issued annually by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN).

This year’s report includes a special indicator called ‘Cities Happiness Index’ that captures the level of happiness in cities. The index ranks 186 cities around the world by assessing the level of happiness and lives of the cities’ inhabitants. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the happiest cities in the Arab region.

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UN World Happiness report 2018

According to UN World Happiness Report 2018, the UAE came first in the Arab region for the fourth consecutive year and ranked 20th among 156 countries globally, advancing one rank from last year. Measuring the happiness index of UAE nationals only, the UAE ranked 11th  globally , while for the happiness of expatriate residents in 117 countries, the UAE ranked 19th.

UN World Happiness report 2017

According to UN World Happiness Report 2017, the UAE came first in the Arab region for the third consecutive year and ranked 21st as the happiest globally, advancing eight ranks.

The UAE would, however, rank 12th globally if only UAE nationals were taken into account, as the 2017 report included a separate table of results for nationals and non-nationals in some Gulf countries with varying scores.

UAE also ranked first globally regarding the satisfaction of residents from other countries.

World Happiness report 2016

As per World Happiness Report 2016, published by Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative for the United Nations, the UAE was ranked 28th globally and 1st amongst Arab countries.

It was placed ahead of some of other advanced countries like France (at 32nd rank), Spain (at 37th rank) and Italy (at 50th rank). The report recognises that the UAE is amongst the four countries in the world that have a Minister of Happiness in their Cabinet.

The UAE has maintained its leading position in the Arab region since the report was launched four years ago; thus, realising its remarkable achievements in the political, economic, social, educational, health, tourism and environmental fields.