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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

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.

NERDs Replace FIRE As Young Workers Lose Confidence In Retirement

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

The FIRE movement promised younger workers a path to financial independence and early retirement. Now, a different group is emerging in the UK: NERDs, or the “Never Ever Retiring Demographic.”

Growing pessimism among Gen Z and millennials is driving the shift, with many questioning whether retirement will ever be financially achievable. Some are responding by reducing or abandoning pension contributions altogether.

Young Workers Are Losing Confidence In Retirement

Research from People’s Pension, a major UK workplace pension provider, found that 47% of Gen Z respondents aged 18 to 27 do not engage with their pension. Another 12%, equivalent to about 2.2 million young people, have stopped saving for retirement because they expect to work indefinitely.

Wider financial pressures are contributing to that outlook. High living costs have pushed milestones such as homeownership, marriage, having children and retirement further away for many younger workers, while inflation, layoffs and stagnant wages have added to uncertainty.

Pension Providers Face A Communication Gap

Financial pressure is only part of the problem. Young workers also say pension providers are failing to explain long-term saving in ways that feel relevant to them.

About 36% of respondents said providers do not explain retirement saving effectively. Among them, 27% said companies appear more focused on selling products than educating customers, while 16% cited complicated language and jargon.

A clear generational difference emerges in the responses. Some 29% of Gen Z respondents said providers fail to explain why pension saving matters, compared with 13% of Gen Xers and Baby Boomers. Similarly, 17% of Gen Z said providers do not use channels they engage with, versus 4% among older generations.

Clearer information could influence behavior. About 70% of Gen Z respondents said they would have started saving earlier if they had known that beginning in their 20s could potentially double their retirement pot compared with starting in their 30s. Another 63% said learning about tax relief and employer contributions motivated them to save.

“In a world where financial doom dominates pension conversations, young savers are tuning out,” said Kirsty Ross, proposition director at People’s Pension. “Our research shows they are not disengaged because they don’t care, they are disengaged because the messages aren’t working.”

Young Savers Want Simpler Tools

Progress bars and goal trackers were among the most popular tools respondents said could make pensions more relevant, cited by 31%. Another 26% wanted reassurance that they could start with small amounts, while 23% wanted examples of what people their age are doing.

Clear, bite-sized steps were cited by 22%, while 19% said light-hearted and relatable stories could make pensions more accessible.

People’s Pension has responded with Pension Drop, a campaign using social media influencers, live events and lifestyle personalities to encourage conversations about retirement saving.

“Looking back, I really wish I’d started earlier,” said Iain Stirling, comedian, TV presenter and Pension Drop ambassador. He said contributions made in someone’s 20s or 30s can make a significant difference later, while employer contributions and tax relief can increase the value of smaller payments.

Small Changes Can Improve Long-Term Saving

Stirling urged younger workers to check their pension provider, establish whether they have multiple pension pots and make sure they are contributing enough to receive the full employer match.

He also recommended increasing contributions after a pay rise or bonus, allowing workers to raise long-term savings without making a large immediate change to their spending.

For younger workers facing high living costs and uncertain career prospects, pension saving remains a difficult sell. Clearer information about employer contributions, tax relief and the long-term effect of starting early could help make retirement planning more tangible.

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