MENA: Abu Dhabi and Dubai retain the title of top liveable cities
Education and health indicators along with safe living have contributed to the overall ranking
Dubai: Abu Dhabi and Dubai have once again solidified their positions as the most liveable cities in the Middle East and Africa, according to the latest Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
The two Emirati cities demonstrated significant improvements in the healthcare and education sectors, contributing to their overall ranking.
The EIU's Global Liveability Index evaluates cities across five key dimensions: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Abu Dhabi: A Global Safety Haven
Abu Dhabi has earned international recognition as one of the safest cities globally. Numbeo's Crime and Safety Index ranked Abu Dhabi first worldwide with a remarkable score of 88.2 points. Conversely, the city boasted the lowest Crime Index at a mere 11.8 points.
Healthcare Excellence
Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have made substantial strides in healthcare infrastructure. Dubai's healthcare sector flourished with a total of 5,020 licensed and operational facilities and 13,370 licensed doctors in the first quarter of 2024.
Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, reported 3,323 healthcare facilities, including 67 hospitals, and a robust medical workforce of 12,922 licensed doctors by the end of 2022.
Educational growth
The education landscape in the UAE is equally impressive. Abu Dhabi housed 459 schools, encompassing public, private, and mixed institutions, during the 2023-2024 academic year. Dubai's private school sector comprises 220 establishments.
Gulf dominance
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations have made a substantial impact on the global stage, with eight of the region's top ten cities hailing from the bloc.
Kuwait City, Doha, and Bahrain secured the third, fourth, and fifth positions, respectively. The GCC's economic prowess and ability to attract global talent have been instrumental in its rise as a global powerhouse.