United Arab Emirates (United Arab Emirates)

United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	73rd best
Capital	Abu Dhabi
Land Area	83 600km21
Location	Asia, The Middle East
Population	9.6m2
Life Expectancy	78.71yrs (2017)3
GNI	$62 574 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	AE, ARE, 7845
Internet Domain	.ae6
Currency	Dirham (AED)7
Telephone	+9718

1. Overview
2. United Arab Emirates National and Social Development
3. United Arab Emirates's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. United Arab Emirates's Health
6. United Arab Emirates's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. United Arab Emirates's Modernity and Learning
8. United Arab Emirates's Culture, Peace and Inequality
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

#saudi_arabia

“The Trucial States of the Persian Gulf coast granted the UK control of their defense and foreign affairs in 19th century treaties. In 1971, six of these states - Abu Dhabi, 'Ajman, Al Fujayrah, Ash Shariqah, Dubayy, and Umm al Qaywayn - merged to form the United Arab Emirates (UAE). They were joined in 1972 by Ra's al Khaymah. The UAE's per capita GDP is on par with those of leading West European nations. Its high oil revenues and its moderate foreign policy stance have allowed the UAE to play a vital role in the affairs of the region. For more than three decades, oil and global finance drove the UAE's economy. However, in 2008-09, the confluence of falling oil prices, collapsing real estate prices, and the international banking crisis hit the UAE especially hard. The UAE has essentially avoided the "Arab Spring" unrest seen elsewhere in the Middle East, though in March 2011, political activists and intellectuals signed a petition calling for greater public participation in governance that was widely circulated on the Internet. In an effort to stem potential further unrest, the government announced a multi-year, $1.6-billion infrastructure investment plan for the poorer northern Emirates.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“There´s more to the Emirates than 21st-century glitz and glam, with cultures solidly rooted in Islam and generations of Bedouin heritage. For most people, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) means just one place: Dubai, the sci-fi-esque city of iconic skyscrapers, palm-shaped islands, city-sized malls, indoor ski slopes and palatial beach resorts. But guess what? Beyond the glitter awaits a diverse mosaic of six more emirates, each with its own character and allure.

An hour´s drive south, oil-rich Abu Dhabi, the country´s capital, is quickly gaining a reputation as a hub of culture, sport and leisure. Beyond its borders looms the vast Al Gharbia desert, whose magical silence is interrupted only by the whisper of shifting dunes rolling towards Saudi Arabia.

North of Dubai, Sharjah has the country´s best museums, while tiny Ajman and Umm Al Quwain provide glimpses of life in the pre-oil days, and Ras Al Khaimah is busy building up its tourism infrastructure. For the best swimming and diving, head to the emirate of Fujairah and frolic in the crystal clear and warm waters of the Gulf of Oman.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. United Arab Emirates National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
23=	Slovenia	0.918
23=	Malta	0.918
25	Austria	0.916
26	UAE	0.911
27	Spain	0.905
28	France	0.903
29	Cyprus	0.896
30	Italy	0.895
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
8	Norway	$64 660
9	Brunei	$64 490
10	Hong Kong	$62 607
11	UAE	$62 574
12	Denmark	$60 365
13	Netherlands	$55 979
14	Iceland	$55 782
15	Germany	$54 534
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.0
2	Norway	29.9
3	Sweden	31.8
	...
70	Turkey	79.2
71	Jamaica	79.3
72	Panama	80.9
73	UAE	81.0
74	Kosovo	81.0
75	Bahamas	81.6
76	St Vincent & Grenadines	81.6
77	Antigua & Barbuda	82.3
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	88.6
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. United Arab Emirates's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

The United Arab Emirates's population is predicted to rise to 10.49 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.44. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
89	Jordan	10.0m
90	Azerbaijan	9.9m
91	Hungary	9.7m
92	UAE	9.6m
93	Honduras	9.6m
94	Belarus	9.5m
95	Tajikistan	9.1m
96	Austria	8.9m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
43	Czechia	77.7
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
95	Germany	1.46
96	Guam	2.55
97	Cuba	1.45
98	UAE	1.44
99	Oman	2.57
100=	Greece	1.43
100=	Portugal	1.43
102	Bolivia	2.58
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
48	Rwanda	07.0
49	Namibia	07.4
50=	Botswana	07.7
50=	UAE	07.7
52	Oman	07.8
53	Jordan	08.0
54	Laos	08.1
55	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	08.2
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
4	Liechtenstein	65.1%
5	Monaco	54.9%
6	Andorra	53.3%
7	Bahrain	48.4%
8	Singapore	46.0%
9	Luxembourg	45.3%
10	Oman	44.7%
11	Hong Kong	39.1%
12	Saudi Arabia	37.0%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
168	Congo, DR	1.3%
169	N. Korea	1.3%
170	Thailand	1.2%
171	UAE	1.2%
172	Mongolia	1.2%
173	Kenya	1.1%
174	Indonesia	1.1%
175	Myanmar (Burma)	1.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #united_arab_emirates #united_arab_emirates_gender #women

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
160	Uzbekistan	121.1
161	Qatar	121.7
162	Malawi	122.0
163	UAE	122.3
164	Cambodia	122.8
165	Oman	122.9
	Asia Avg	103.00
	World Avg	86.55
q=199.

The United Arab Emirates is amongst the worst places in the world at ensuring human rights and freedom, and it has severe cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. The UAE comes in the best 20 in opposing gender inequality₁₉ (the lowest in Asia) and in eliminating modern slavery₂₀. But that's it. The UAE has problems. It does worse than average when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₁, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₂ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₃, supporting press freedom₂₄, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₅, LGBT equality₂₆ and in freethought₂₇. UAE's government does not tolerate criticism and "arbitrarily detains and forcibly disappears" critics₂₈. It has "continued to play a leading role in the Saudi-led coalition, which has conducted scores of unlawful attacks in Yemen"₂₈. Despite some improvements, migrant construction workers "face serious exploitation"₂₈ and progress will remain difficult as long as the richest 1% hold 23% of the country's entire income₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in United Arab Emirates

5. United Arab Emirates's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #united_arab_emirates #vaccines

Compared to Asia (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1=	Japan	44.1
2	Hong Kong	48.2
3	Singapore	49.5
	...
15	Thailand	74.5
16=	Armenia	75.5
17	Georgia	75.9
18=	UAE	76.7
18=	Vietnam	76.7
20	Lebanon	76.8
21	Maldives	77.3
22	Turkey	78.6
23	Russia	81.8
	Asia Avg	80.90
q=50.

Health (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
78	Latvia	76.0
79	Uruguay	76.4
80=	Vietnam	76.7
80=	UAE	76.7
82	Lebanon	76.8
83	Maldives	77.3
84	Grenada	77.9
85	Turkey	78.6
	World Avg	96.74
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₁.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₁, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

The United Arab Emirates does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. The UAE comes in the best 20 in terms of its adolescent birth rate₃₂ and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃ (the lowest in Asia). It does better than average when it comes to its average life expectancy₁₁, its alcohol consumption rate₃₄, its immunizations take-up₃₅ (but bad for Asia) and in its fertility rate₁₄. The UAE does not succeed in everything, however. The UAE does worse than average in its smoking rate₃₆. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the past 40 years. Life expectancy in the UAE improved by +7.8yrs in the 30 years from 1990, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. The UAE is amongst only 7 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 5 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 6.72 in 1960.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
36	Chile	78.9
37	Bahrain	78.8
38	Thailand	78.7
39	UAE	78.7
40	Kuwait	78.7
41	Antigua & Barbuda	78.5
42	China	78.2
43	Czechia	77.7
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34
Pos.		2016 Per Capita34
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
64=	El Salvador	3.8
64=	Gambia	3.8
64=	Israel	3.8
64=	UAE	3.8
68	N. Korea	3.9
69	Honduras	4.0
70	Jamaica	4.2
71	Sri Lanka	4.3
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
95	Germany	1.46
96	Guam	2.55
97	Cuba	1.45
98	UAE	1.44
99	Oman	2.57
100=	Greece	1.43
100=	Portugal	1.43
102	Bolivia	2.58
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better36
Pos.		201436
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
104	New Zealand	680
105	Kyrgyzstan	68337
106	Qatar	698
107	UAE	715
108	Namibia	740
109	Papua New Guinea	826
110	UK	827
111	Sweden	831
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
13	Australia	13
14	UAE	14
15	Saudi Arabia	15
16	Belgium	16
17	New Zealand	17
18	Jordan	18
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better38
Pos.		2016 %38
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
172	Malta	66.4
173=	Turkey	66.8
173=	Libya	66.8
175	UAE	67.8
176=	Lebanon	67.9
176=	USA	67.9
178	Jordan	69.6
179	Saudi Arabia	69.7
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better32
Pos.		2022 Per 100032
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
7	Singapore	2.5
8	Netherlands	2.7
9	Japan	2.8
10	UAE	2.8
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
13	San Marino	3.7
14	Italy	3.9
	Asia Avg	25.9
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better35
Pos.		2015 Avg %35
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
76	Solomon Islands	94.5
77	Norway	94.3
78	Bolivia	94.2
79=	UAE	94.0
79=	Bangladesh	94.0
79=	Tanzania	94.0
79=	Germany	94.0
83	Lithuania	93.9
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. United Arab Emirates's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #iceland #internationalism #meat #mongolia #oman #over-exploitation #qatar #sustainability #the_environment #united_arab_emirates #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2025)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Nepal	47.9
3	India	49.5
	...
18	Afghanistan	75.7
19	Syria	77.4
20	Iran	79.0
21	UAE	81.8
22	Singapore	83.3
23	Georgia	83.6
24	S. Korea	84.0
25	Cambodia	84.0
26	Taiwan	86.1
	Asia Avg	86.44
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)39
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank39
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
92	Nicaragua	80.5
93	Slovakia	80.8
94	Poland	81.0
95	UAE	81.8
96	Bolivia	81.8
97	Slovenia	82.1
98	Panama	82.5
99	Singapore	83.3
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

The UAE is positioned 95th in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. The UAE does better than average when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₀, its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₁ and in its environmental performance₄₂. The UAE still has work to do. The UAE does worse than average in terms of its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, energy to GDP efficiency₄₃ and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₄. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better41
Pos.		Total41
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
61	Belgium	3.3%
62	Croatia	2.9%
63	Netherlands	2.8%
64	UAE	2.5%
65	Albania	2.5%
66	Luxembourg	2.3%
67	Georgia	2.2%
68	USA	2.1%
	Asia Avg	3.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better42
Pos.		201842
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
74	Argentina	59.3
75	Malaysia	59.2
76	Antigua & Barbuda	59.2
77	UAE	58.9
78	Jamaica	58.6
79	Namibia	58.5
80	Iran	58.2
81	Belize	57.8
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better43
Pos.		2022 Avg43
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
134	Tajikistan	1.67
135	Mongolia	1.68
136	China	1.68
137	UAE	1.73
138	Zimbabwe	1.74
139	Saudi Arabia	1.76
140	Serbia	1.79
141	Paraguay	1.79
	Asia Avg	1.50
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

From the 1960s to the 1970s, the UAE increased the amount of energy it used to maintain its GDP much more than any other country except Oman and Qatar, and into the 1980s only Qatar was being more inefficient. But things changed and the next decade, to the 2000s, it was amongst the 10 countries who improved its energy-to-GDP efficiency the most.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
97	Czechia	58%
98	Antigua & Barbuda	57%
99	Bangladesh	57%
100	UAE	57%
101	Belize	57%
102	Bulgaria	57%
103	Honduras	57%
104	Poland	57%
	Asia Avg	55.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
124	Congo, DR	22.8%
125	UK	22.6%
126	Malawi	22.0%
127	UAE	20.8%
128	Norway	20.5%
129	Botswana	20.4%
130	USA	19.7%
131	Kuwait	19.6%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better44
Pos.		2021 kg44
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
153	Qatar	83.0
154=	Iceland	83.6
154=	Lithuania	83.6
156	UAE	84.3
157	Panama	85.0
158	Luxembourg	85.8
159	Antigua & Barbuda	85.8
160	France	86.1
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, UAE increased its consumption of meat by over 50%, one of the world's greatest increasers (the other was Mongolia. In a world where meat production needs to reduce in order to allow more planet-friendly foodstuffs, these countries are setting a dangerous precedent.₄₄

Green Future Index Higher is better40
Pos.		2023 Score40
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
33	Hong Kong	4.9
34	Colombia	4.8
35	Slovakia	4.8
36	UAE	4.8
37	Morocco	4.7
38	Brazil	4.7
39=	Romania	4.7
39=	Kenya	4.7
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

The 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index found the UAE to have put in more effort than anyone (except Iceland to transition to cleaner energy sources.₄₆

7. United Arab Emirates's Modernity and Learning

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #education #english #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #intelligence #life_expectancy #maths #modernity #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #research #science #social_development #technology #terrorism #the_internet #united_arab_emirates

Compared to Asia (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	S. Korea	22.2
2	Japan	24.7
3	Israel	29.5
	...
9	Malaysia	59.4
10	Kazakhstan	59.8
11=	Saudi Arabia	62.0
12	UAE	64.3
13	Georgia	65.6
14	Bahrain	66.2
15	China	71.4
16	Kuwait	74.7
17	Qatar	74.8
	Asia Avg	78.26
q=49.

Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank47
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
	...
57	Kazakhstan	59.8
58=	Saudi Arabia	62.0
58=	Tonga	62.0
60	UAE	64.3
61	Mexico	64.5
62	Montenegro	64.9
63	Bosnia & Herzegovina	65.6
64	Georgia	65.6
	World Avg	86.31
q=190.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Belgium and Denmark₄₈. The worst countries are Eritrea, S. Sudan and Sierra Leone₄₈. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₉.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₀

15 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Intellectual Endeavours, Maths, Science & Reading, Religiosity, IQ, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₈, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₈.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2951
2	Israel	4.1151
3	Japan	3.5851
	...
56=	Argentina	0.5852
57	Mexico	0.5451
58=	Senegal	0.5453
59	UAE	0.4954
60=	Uganda	0.4853
60=	Cyprus	0.4855
62	Costa Rica	0.4754
63=	Qatar	0.4756
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better57
Pos.		201857
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
73	Saudi Arabia	72.8%
74	Andorra	72.3%
75	Panama	72.2%
76	UAE	70.7%
77	Brunei	70.1%
78	Iran	69.8%
79	Vietnam	69.4%
80	Venezuela	69.2%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better58
Pos.		2021 Years58
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
43	Palau	15.8
44	Russia	15.8
45	Kazakhstan	15.8
46	UAE	15.7
47	Barbados	15.7
48	Cyprus	15.6
49	Brazil	15.6
50	Georgia	15.6
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
81	Saudi Arabia	81
82	Uganda	82
83	Mauritius	83
84	UAE	84
85	Tonga	85
86	Georgia	86
87	Benin	87
88	Pakistan	88
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better59
Pos.		2015 Score59
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
45	Bulgaria	1319
46=	Romania	1313
46=	Cyprus	1313
48	UAE	1298
49	Uruguay	1290
50	Turkey	1273
51	Trinidad & Tobago	1269
52	Moldova	1264
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

IQ Higher is better60
Pos.		200660
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
77=	Colombia	84
77=	Jordan	84
77=	Afghanistan	84
77=	UAE	84
77=	Iran	84
77=	Pakistan	84
77=	Panama	84
77=	Paraguay	84
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better61
Pos.		201661
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
12	UK	93%
13	Finland	93%
14	Qatar	92%
15	UAE	92%
16	Bahrain	92%
17	Estonia	91%
18	Japan	91%
19	New Zealand	89%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better62
Pos.		2017 Ratio62
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
61	Turkey	0.3
62=	Uruguay	0.3
62=	Moldova	0.3
64	UAE	0.3
65	Seychelles	0.2
66	Puerto Rico	0.2
67	Indonesia	0.2
68	S. Africa	0.1
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better63
Pos.		202463
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
40	Saudi Arabia	57.5%
41	Malaysia	57.5%
42	Argentina	56.2%
43	UAE	55.8%
44	Chile	55.0%
45	China	54.8%
46	Uruguay	54.8%
47	Ukraine	54.4%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

The UAE has, in particular, the highest mobile-internet access speed, of 121 countries measured₆₄.

8. United Arab Emirates's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charitability #charity #corruption #culture #economics #equality #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

Compared to Asia (2020)65
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank65
1	Singapore	20.2
2	Taiwan	37.2
3	Hong Kong	40.5
4	UAE	41.1
5	Qatar	44.8
6	Japan	45.5
7	Cyprus	47.4
8	Bhutan	49.2
9	S. Korea	49.5
10	Malaysia	55.4
11	Oman	61.8
12	Mongolia	62.1
13	Jordan	65.4
	Asia Avg	79.59
q=49.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2020)65
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank65
1	Denmark	11.2
2	Norway	13.9
3	Netherlands	14.4
	...
21	Czechia	38.9
22	Hong Kong	40.5
23	Hungary	41.1
24	UAE	41.1
25	France	41.3
26	Poland	41.5
27	Estonia	44.2
28	Qatar	44.8
	World Avg	78.12
q=180.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 22 datasets, including multiple decades of data on World Giving Index, resisting corruption, overall happiness, Creativity and Culture, Open Trading, Aid and Development, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, Inequality in Life Expectancy, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

National Culture:

The UAE has a good long-term record on keeping corruption low.

World Giving Index Higher is better66
Pos.		2022 %66
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
15=	Guinea	47.0
15=	UK	47.0
15=	Brazil	47.0
15=	UAE	47.0
15=	Philippines	47.0
15=	Argentina	47.0
15=	Poland	47.0
22	Serbia	46.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better67
Pos.		2022 Points67
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
24	USA	69.0
25=	Taiwan	68.0
25=	Bhutan	68.0
27	UAE	67.0
28=	Chile	67.0
29	Barbados	65.0
30	Bahamas	64.0
31=	S. Korea	63.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better68
Pos.		2024 Score68
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
18	Canada	6.8
19	Slovenia	6.8
20	Czechia	6.8
21	UAE	6.8
22	Germany	6.8
23	UK	6.7
24	USA	6.7
25	Belize	6.7
	Asia Avg	5.41
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
50	Grenada	50
51	Chile	51
52	Bahamas	52
53	UAE	53
54	Thailand	54
55	Macedonia	55
56	Mauritania	56
57	India	57
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
46	Poland	46
47	Japan	47
48	Armenia	48
49	UAE	49
50	Greece	50
51	Niger	51
52	Sri Lanka	52
53	Haiti	53
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Peace Versus Instability:

Global Peace Index Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 Score69
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
72=	Kosovo	1.95
73	Cambodia	1.95
74	Malawi	1.97
75	UAE	1.98
76	Kazakhstan	1.98
77	Jamaica	1.99
78	Bolivia	2.00
79	Nepal	2.01
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
144	Haiti	144
145	Libya	145
146	Croatia	146
147	UAE	147
148	Central African Rep.	148
149	Bosnia & Herzegovina	149
150	Seychelles	150
151	Sierra Leone	151
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
50	Brazil	50
51	Dominican Rep.	51
52	Slovakia	52
53	UAE	53
54	Macedonia	54
55	Zambia	55
56	Lithuania	56
57	Ukraine	57
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better70
Pos.		2019 Score70
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
18=	Iceland	0.03
19	Panama	0.04
20=	Guyana	0.04
21	UAE	0.05
22	Slovakia	0.06
23	Norway	0.08
24	Lesotho	0.10
25	Liberia	0.11
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

Economic Inequality and Poverty:

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better71
Pos.		201971
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
37	Serbia	4.90
38	Slovakia	5.00
39	Cuba	5.10
40	UAE	5.20
41=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	5.40
41=	Latvia	5.40
43	Lithuania	5.50
44=	Bahrain	5.50
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better72
Pos.		2023 %72
1	Slovakia	24.1%73
2	Slovenia	24.3%73
3	Belarus	24.4%74
	...
7	Iceland	26.1%75
8	Czechia	26.2%73
9=	Kyrgyzstan	26.4%76
9=	UAE	26.4%77
11	Syria	26.6%76
12=	Azerbaijan	26.6%78
12=	Belgium	26.6%73
14	Tonga	27.1%73
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Income inequality data is rarely available for United Arab Emirates - only for 2 years between 1980 and 2019.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)79
Pos.		Higher is better %79
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
98=	Tunisia	0
98=	Uganda	0
98=	Bangladesh	0
98=	UAE	0
98=	Azerbaijan	0
98=	Algeria	0
98=	Yemen	0
98=	Zambia	0
98=	Tanzania	0
98=	Malaysia	0
98=	Haiti	0
98=	Iraq	0
98=	Guinea	0
98=	Ghana	0
98=	Jordan	0
98=	Gambia	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₈₀:

Christian	12.6%
Muslim	76.9%
Hindu	6.6%
Buddhist	2%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	1.1%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Muslim (Islam - official) 96% (Shia 16%), other (includes Christian, Hindu) 4%₈₁.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?