emirates7 - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has strengthened its standing among nations with “very high human development,” advancing 11 places in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), compared to its 2021–2022 ranking.
The UAE now holds the 15th position out of 193 countries, surpassing countries such as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. It remains the only Arab nation in the top 20 — a testament to its holistic development strategy centered on enhancing human wellbeing. This integrated approach spans healthcare, education, and overall quality of life, establishing the UAE as a global benchmark for sustainable development and human capital investment.
The 2025 Human Development Report, titled "A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)," assigned the UAE an HDI score of 0.94.
According to the report’s key indicators, the UAE achieved a life expectancy at birth of 82.9 years, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being. Education metrics showed expected years of schooling at 15.6 and average years of schooling at 13, contributing to SDG 4 on quality education. Additionally, the country’s gross national income per capita reached $71,142, supporting SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Minister of Health and Prevention Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais stated that the UAE’s top-tier ranking reflects its consistent investment in a world-class healthcare infrastructure that fosters innovation and delivers high-quality care, in line with its long-term vision for health and sustainability.
Minister of Education Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri emphasized that education remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s development agenda. She pointed to the implementation of forward-thinking, adaptable education policies aimed at equipping future generations for competitiveness and innovation, especially in emerging fields like artificial intelligence.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, highlighted the UAE’s people-centered development strategy, which is built on the foundations of healthcare, education, and innovation. She remarked that the country’s improved HDI ranking is a result of strategic, forward-looking policies that emphasize human welfare alongside economic advancement.
The report also explored the transformative role of AI in human development, cautioning that disparities between high- and low-development countries could widen without inclusive strategies. It called for adaptable, human-centered approaches in healthcare, education, and living standards, noting that human capital will remain essential in the AI-driven era.
In 2023, the UAE ranked third globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals, based on LinkedIn data — reinforcing its status as an international hub for AI talent.
The report concluded by noting that while high-income countries like the UAE benefit from the influx of specialized talent, lower-income nations face the challenge of talent drain. It urged international cooperation to foster a digital economy where humans and AI collaborate, and where people are empowered through education and technology to drive equitable and sustainable progress.
The UAE now holds the 15th position out of 193 countries, surpassing countries such as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. It remains the only Arab nation in the top 20 — a testament to its holistic development strategy centered on enhancing human wellbeing. This integrated approach spans healthcare, education, and overall quality of life, establishing the UAE as a global benchmark for sustainable development and human capital investment.
The 2025 Human Development Report, titled "A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)," assigned the UAE an HDI score of 0.94.
According to the report’s key indicators, the UAE achieved a life expectancy at birth of 82.9 years, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on good health and well-being. Education metrics showed expected years of schooling at 15.6 and average years of schooling at 13, contributing to SDG 4 on quality education. Additionally, the country’s gross national income per capita reached $71,142, supporting SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Minister of Health and Prevention Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais stated that the UAE’s top-tier ranking reflects its consistent investment in a world-class healthcare infrastructure that fosters innovation and delivers high-quality care, in line with its long-term vision for health and sustainability.
Minister of Education Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri emphasized that education remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s development agenda. She pointed to the implementation of forward-thinking, adaptable education policies aimed at equipping future generations for competitiveness and innovation, especially in emerging fields like artificial intelligence.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, highlighted the UAE’s people-centered development strategy, which is built on the foundations of healthcare, education, and innovation. She remarked that the country’s improved HDI ranking is a result of strategic, forward-looking policies that emphasize human welfare alongside economic advancement.
The report also explored the transformative role of AI in human development, cautioning that disparities between high- and low-development countries could widen without inclusive strategies. It called for adaptable, human-centered approaches in healthcare, education, and living standards, noting that human capital will remain essential in the AI-driven era.
In 2023, the UAE ranked third globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals, based on LinkedIn data — reinforcing its status as an international hub for AI talent.
The report concluded by noting that while high-income countries like the UAE benefit from the influx of specialized talent, lower-income nations face the challenge of talent drain. It urged international cooperation to foster a digital economy where humans and AI collaborate, and where people are empowered through education and technology to drive equitable and sustainable progress.