DUBAI – The UAE has shown its leadership in the region and worldwide in human development, thanks to effective policies aimed at improving education, health, the economy, living standards, and quality of life, said Abdulla Nasser Lootah, the UAE’s Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange.
“These efforts ensure sustainable development across all sectors, promising a bright future for generations to come,” he added.
The United Arab Emirates topped the regional list in the 2023/2024 Human Development Index report by the United Nations Development Programme, climbing nine spots to 17th place globally out of 193 countries. This achievement places it ahead of countries like Canada, the United States, and Japan, marking it as the only Arab nation in the top 20 worldwide.
Lootah said, “Under President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s leadership, the UAE government is dedicated to advancing human welfare and happiness.”
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, emphasized the UAE’s goal to rank among the top in global competitiveness reports. “Competitiveness focuses on human welfare,” Ahli stated. “Guided by our leadership, we’re laying the groundwork for a decent life in the UAE, ensuring society’s well-being.”
Ahli also highlighted that the UAE’s notable position in the Human Development Report results from the collective efforts in health, education, and economic sectors, leading to its high global ranking.
This year’s report, “Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World,” shows the UAE’s score at 0.937, an improvement from the previous year. With a life expectancy of 79.2 years and significant achievements in education and income, the UAE is making strides towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals for 2030.
The Human Development Report, an annual publication by the United Nations Development Programme since 1990, measures well-being through health, knowledge, and living standards across four indicators: life expectancy at birth, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling, and per capita gross national income.