Breaking news

UAE Ranks Among The World’s Safest Countries – Here’s Why

The UAE has once again secured its place as one of the safest nations on the planet. In Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, the country ranked second globally, trailing only Andorra. The latest data also highlights the dominance of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries in safety rankings, with Qatar taking third place and Oman securing fifth, just behind Taiwan. Saudi Arabia and Bahrain also made the top 20, coming in at 14th and 16th, respectively.

This strong showing isn’t just about perception. On Numbeo’s Crime Index, which measures crime rates worldwide, the UAE also ranked as the second least crime-ridden country. The numbers reinforce what residents and visitors alike have long known—the UAE is one of the safest places to live, work, and travel.

What Makes The UAE So Safe?

The UAE’s high safety ranking isn’t a coincidence—it’s the result of a multi-layered approach to security. The country enforces strict laws on crime, drug use, and public behavior, with severe penalties acting as a powerful deterrent. Law enforcement is both highly trained and well-equipped, ensuring rapid response times and visible policing in key areas.

Technology also plays a critical role. Major cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi are blanketed with surveillance systems, while artificial intelligence and smart policing initiatives help authorities prevent and quickly resolve incidents.

Beyond policing, economic stability contributes to lower crime rates. With a high standard of living, strong social welfare policies, and ample job opportunities, fewer economic pressures typically drive crime elsewhere. The result? A society where both residents and tourists feel secure, even at night.

Women and children, in particular, benefit from the UAE’s emphasis on public safety. Well-lit streets, frequent patrols, and strict anti-harassment laws create an environment where personal security is the norm, not the exception.

The 20 Safest Countries In 2025

According to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, these are the 20 safest countries in the world:

  1. Andorra – 84.7
  2. UAE – 84.5
  3. Qatar – 84.2
  4. Taiwan – 82.9
  5. Oman – 81.7
  6. Isle of Man – 79.0
  7. Hong Kong (China) – 78.5
  8. Armenia – 77.9
  9. Singapore – 77.4
  10. Japan – 77.1
  11. Monaco – 76.7
  12. Estonia – 76.3
  13. Slovenia – 76.2
  14. Saudi Arabia – 76.1
  15. China – 76.0
  16. Bahrain – 75.5
  17. South Korea – 75.1
  18. Croatia – 74.5
  19. Iceland – 74.3
  20. Denmark – 74.0

Where Safety Remains A Challenge

Numbeo’s 2025 report assessed 147 countries, and while some nations topped the safety charts, others struggled. The least safe countries this year include:

  • Venezuela (147th)
  • Papua New Guinea (146th)
  • Haiti (145th)
  • Afghanistan (144th)
  • South Africa (143rd)

Crime, political instability, and economic challenges continue to impact safety rankings in these regions.

Beyond Safety: The UAE’s Quality Of Life Ranking

While safety is a key metric, it’s not the only factor that determines a country’s appeal. Numbeo also evaluates quality of life, where the UAE secured the 20th spot globally. Notably, Oman ranked 4th, following Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Denmark, while Qatar took 9th place. Saudi Arabia also made the list, ranking 21st.

As the UAE continues to invest in cutting-edge security, infrastructure, and quality of life improvements, it’s clear that the country isn’t just a leader in safety—it’s shaping the future of urban living.

IMF Says Cyprus Growth Will Ease As Energy Costs And Regional Tensions Weigh On Economy

Cyprus is expected to remain among the better-performing economies in the European Union, although growth is projected to moderate this year as higher energy prices, geopolitical uncertainty, and softer tourism activity weigh on economic momentum.

Growth Set To Moderate After A Strong Run

In its latest Article IV Consultation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) noted that the Cypriot economy has remained resilient despite a challenging external environment. However, the Fund expects growth to slow compared with last year as rising energy costs and regional tensions begin to affect household incomes, business confidence, and tourism flows.

“Growth is expected to moderate this year as higher energy prices and geopolitical tensions weigh on real incomes, tourism and confidence,” the IMF said.

The Fund projects GDP growth of 2.6% in 2026, compared with 3.8% in 2025. Under a more adverse scenario involving a prolonged crisis in the Gulf region, growth could slow further to 1.7%.

Inflation Is Turning Higher Again

Alongside slower growth, inflation is expected to increase in the near term after easing significantly last year. According to the IMF, higher energy costs linked to developments in the Middle East are beginning to feed through to consumer prices.

“Inflation is projected to rise in the near term before easing. Risks are tilted to the downside, notably from a more prolonged war in the Middle East, tighter global financial conditions and weaker external demand. Medium-term prospects are more balanced, supported by strong fundamentals and reform momentum,” the Fund said.

The harmonised inflation rate, which declined to 0.8% in 2025, is forecast to rise to 3.5% this year before easing again to 1.5% in 2027.

Tourism Softens, But Fiscal And Financial Buffers Hold

While the IMF pointed to signs of weaker tourism activity, it said the broader economy continues to benefit from strong fiscal and financial fundamentals.

“Fiscal performance has remained strong, with continued surpluses and public debt declining below 60 per cent of GDP. The financial sector is sound, with strong capital and liquidity buffers and improving asset quality,” the report noted.

Domestic demand remains resilient, while exports of services continue to support economic activity. Sectors such as information and communications technology and tourism are expected to remain important contributors to growth, helping Cyprus maintain one of the strongest economic performances within the EU.

A Recovery Built On Policy Discipline

The IMF praised the Cypriot authorities for maintaining a strong fiscal position, rebuilding policy buffers and putting public debt on a clear downward trajectory. It also pointed to the country’s remarkable rebound since the 2013 banking crisis. Per capita GDP, measured against the EU average, has now returned to pre-crisis levels.

That said, the Fund urged policymakers to keep focusing on the quality of public finances. It said Cyprus should improve the efficiency of spending and taxation, prioritise high-quality public investment and maintain discipline in public wage growth.

Any support for households, the IMF added, should be temporary and tightly targeted. It welcomed the government’s recent comprehensive tax reform and a proposal to build financial assets in the social security fund.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties
Uol
eCredo
Aretilaw firm

Become a Speaker

Become a Speaker

Become a Partner

Subscribe for our weekly newsletter