The UAE has ranked fourth in a new global list of the best countries for expats, highlighting its appeal for international residents looking for a well-connected and lifestyle-focused place to live.
The country stands out for its career opportunities, infrastructure, safety and relatively straightforward processes for settling into life abroad.
The Emirates was placed fourth in the annual Expat Insider survey by global expat network InterNations, ranking behind Panama, Mexico and Thailand. Brazil, Spain, Singapore, Portugal, Malaysia and Luxembourg rounded out the top 10.
The UAE was also the highest-ranked country in the Middle East, putting it ahead of several long-established expat destinations.
An Easy Place to Settle In
One of the UAE’s strongest performances came in the Expat Essentials Index, where it ranked first among 31 destinations. The category looks at how easy it is for international residents to handle everyday practicalities when moving to a new country.
The UAE came top for the ease of obtaining a visa and for living comfortably without speaking the local language. Around 80 per cent of respondents said the visa process was straightforward, compared with 55 per cent globally. Digital government services, cashless payments, fast internet and banking also received strong ratings.
Finding a home was another area where the UAE performed above the global average. Some 64 per cent of expats said accommodation was easy to find, compared with 44 per cent worldwide.
Quality of Life, Careers and Cost
The UAE ranked third globally for quality of life, with personal safety standing out as one of its biggest strengths. Healthcare, restaurants, leisure facilities, roads and cultural attractions also contributed to the UAE’s strong score, reflecting the range of amenities available to expats.
For professionals, the UAE’s employment market was another major draw. The country ranked third in the Working Abroad Index and first for career prospects. Around 80 per cent of respondents said relocating to the UAE had improved their career opportunities.
The UAE’s strong career performance does come with a trade-off. The country ranked 24th in the Work and Leisure subcategory, pointing to work-life balance as one of its weaker areas.
Personal finances were another area where the UAE scored less strongly, ranking 18th overall. While salaries and career opportunities can be attractive, the cost of living can make a difference to how far an expat’s income goes.
Housing, education and healthcare are among the expenses that can add to the overall cost of living, particularly in the UAE’s largest urban centres like Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Despite this, 69 per cent of respondents said they were happy with life in the UAE, broadly in line with the global average of 70 per cent.
Overall, the results underline why the UAE continues to rank highly among the best countries for expats. While it may not be the most affordable option at all times, its combination of career opportunities, safety, connectivity, infrastructure and ease of settling in continues to make it an attractive choice for people moving abroad.
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