Dubai and Abu Dhabi ranked the ‘most livable cities’ in 2024

Another day, another accolade for Dubai! This time around, Dubai has been ranked one of the top most livable cities in The Middle East and Africa according to the Global Livability Index 2024.

Abu Dhabi secured the top spot in the region, with Dubai close behind in second place. The ranking highlights both cities' ongoing efforts to enhance their quality of life. From healthcare advancements to a strong educational system, they’ve made significant strides in offering a high standard of living.

Dubai also secured the fifth spot on the list of the world’s safest cities according to the “Crime and Safety Indexes” by Numbeo. We’re sure this comes as no surprise to anyone who lives in the city! Abu Dhabi, which ranked number one, had an impressive score of 88.2 points, while its Crime Index was notably low at 11.8.

Raising the bar in Healthcare and Education

In Dubai, the number of licensed healthcare facilities has reached 5,020 as of Q1 2024, with a total of 13,370 licensed doctors serving the city. Abu Dhabi follows closely with 3,323 healthcare facilities, including 67 hospitals, 1,136 health centres, and 12,922 licensed doctors by the end of 2022. These figures highlight the commitment both cities have made to ensuring accessible and quality healthcare for their residents.

Education is another area where these cities excel. Abu Dhabi now boasts 459 schools, covering both public and private institutions, while Dubai offers 220 private schools. This emphasis on education is key to both cities’ attractiveness for families and professionals relocating to the region.

Gulf cities take up the top spots

Eight of the top ten cities in the Middle East and Africa were from Gulf countries. Kuwait City, Doha, and Bahrain ranked third, fourth, and fifth respectively, further highlighting the region's stability and growing global influence.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have positioned themselves as economic powerhouses, drawing talent and investment from across the globe. With the resources to continually improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and security, it’s no surprise that these cities are climbing the ranks in global liveability.

What factors determine ‘livability’?

The Global Liveability Index evaluates 173 cities worldwide, based on five major categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. These criteria reflect the factors that most impact a person’s quality of life, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi are proving they can compete with the best on the world stage!

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