UAE ranked 30th most prosperous nation in the world

3 November 2015

The UAE has been ranked the 30th most prosperous nation in the world as it improved its performance in healthcare, education and governance.

The 2015 Prosperity Index from London-based think tank The Legatum Institute showed that while the UAE’s economy ranked as high as 21st globally, it has dropped from its 10th place last year amid falling oil prices and increasing regional instability.

Its education sector, a key policy area for the country, moved up to 36th from 39th in 2014.

Similarly, health improved to 34th from 37th and its governance ranking broke into the top 30 at 28th from 32nd a year earlier. Norway, Switzerland and Denmark were the top three countries according to the index.

While elsewhere in the region “the Index records a distinct and significant pattern of decline … and social weakness” thanks to the rise of Isis and violence in North Africa, the UAE’s performance is a standout, leading the Middle East, with a majority of people finding good employment prospects and low business start-up costs.