UAE tops Arab nations' rankings in UN human development report

The UAE has been ranked first in the Arab world by the Human Development Report 2020 issued by the United Nations Development Programme.

Out of a total of 189 countries, the UAE is now placed at 31, a rise of four places from last year’s study.

The Human Development Index is a statistic composite of life expectancy, education (Literacy Rate, Gross Enrollment Ratio at different levels and Net Attendance Ratio), and per capita income indicators, ranking countries into four tiers.

According to the latest report, life expectancy at birth in the UAE is 78 years, which falls under Goal 3 of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 - that's ensuring healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages.

The country’s expected years of schooling is 14.3 years, with mean total years of schooling standing at 12.1 years.

This falls under Goal 4 of ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promotes lifelong learning opportunities for all.

The report highlights the fact that the UAE's share of GDP is US$67,462, falling under Goal 8 of the SDGs which focuses on inclusive economic growth, productivity growth, job creation and entrepreneurship. 

Norway was ranked the first in the world, followed by Ireland, Switzerland, Hong Kong and Iceland. The UK ranked 13 while the US was 17, and Japan and Israel were both ranked 19, with Spain ranking 25, and France 26.

Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the UAE Competitiveness Council, said the UAE, in line with the national strategy to prepare for the next 50 years, is envisaging the future with an ambitious vision.

Al Gergawi underscored that the progress achieved by the UAE in global competitiveness reports is due to the successful policies adopted by the government.

These focus on developing national human resources and achieving the highest levels of advancement in the areas of education, health and quality of life, to achieve the country’s sustainable development in all sectors.