UAE leads regionally, surpasses U.S. and Canada globally in human development rankings, says UN report

Economy ME

12-05-2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its prominent standing among nations with 'very high human development,' ascending 11 places on the global stage in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI)
report
released by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in comparison to its ranking in 2021–2022.
The United Arab Emirates secured the 15th position globally out of the 193 countries assessed in the report, surpassing nations such as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It continues to be the only Arab nation within the top 20—a distinction that underscores its dedication to a comprehensive development outlook that prioritizes human well-being. The nation's strategy integrates healthcare, education, and quality of life, establishing it as a global exemplar for sustainability and human capital advancement.
The 2025 Human Development Report, 'A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)', assigned the UAE an HDI score of 0.94.
Key indicators and SDG alignment
According to the four primary indicators: life expectancy at birth in the UAE reached 82.9 years, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 concerning 'Good Health and Well-being'; expected years of schooling were recorded at 15.6, and average years of schooling at 13, bolstering SGD 4 on quality education. Gross national income per capita attained $71,142, contributing to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, UAE minister of Health and Prevention, stated that the UAE's leading position mirrors its consistent investment in a world-class healthcare system that fosters innovation and guarantees high-quality services, in accordance with the nation's long-term vision for a healthy and sustainable future.
Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, UAE minister of Education, emphasized that education has consistently been central to the UAE's development strategy. She highlighted the implementation of adaptive, forward-thinking education policies crafted to equip future generations for competitiveness and innovation, particularly in domains such as artificial intelligence.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, managing director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, remarked that the UAE's human-centric development model utilizes healthcare, education, and innovation as cornerstones for a prosperous and inclusive future. She noted that the nation's advancement in the HDI rankings illustrates proactive and future-ready policymaking that prioritizes human well-being alongside economic expansion.
Impact of AI on human development
The report highlighted the increasing influence of AI on human development, cautioning against widening disparities between high- and low-development countries and advocating for flexible, human-focused strategies in healthcare, education, and living standards. It stressed that human capital remains crucial in the digital era.
The UAE also held the third position globally in net migration of AI-skilled professionals in 2023, based on LinkedIn data—emphasizing its attractiveness as a global center for AI talent.
The report indicated that high-income countries like the UAE are net beneficiaries of specialized talent, while lower-income nations encounter losses. It further appealed for a collaborative digital economy where humans and AI operate in conjunction, with an emphasis on empowering individuals through knowledge and technology for inclusive and sustainable growth.