Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has once again affirmed its position at the forefront of human development, securing the 15th spot globally in the 2025 Human Development Index (HDI) report issued by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This marks a significant leap of 11 positions from its previous standing in the 2021-2022 cycle.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE’s impressive ranking places it ahead of major nations such as Canada, the United States, Japan, Australia, and Korea. It remains the only Arab nation in the top 20, highlighting its strategic focus on human wellbeing through a holistic development vision. This approach integrates key sectors such as healthcare, education, and quality of life, establishing the UAE as a model for sustainability and human capital development on a global scale.
The 2025 Human Development Report, titled “A matter of choice: people and possibilities in the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI),” awarded the UAE an HDI score of 0.94. The country’s performance was evaluated based on four main indicators: life expectancy at birth, expected years of schooling, average years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. In these areas, the UAE reported a life expectancy of 82.9 years, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3 on ‘Good Health and Well-being’; expected years of schooling at 15.6; average years of schooling at 13, supporting SDG 4 on quality education; and a gross national income per capita of $71,142, contributing to SDG 8 on decent work and economic growth.
Abdulrahman bin Mohamed Al Owais, Minister of Health and Prevention, emphasized that the UAE’s top-tier position is a testament to its enduring investment in a world-class healthcare system that fosters innovation and provides high-quality services, in line with the nation’s vision for a sustainable future.
Sara bint Yousef Al Amiri, Minister of Education, reiterated that education remains a cornerstone of the UAE’s development agenda. She pointed out the country’s forward-thinking education policies, which are designed to equip future generations with skills for competitiveness and innovation, particularly in emerging fields like artificial intelligence.
Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, highlighted the UAE’s human-centric development model, which uses healthcare, education, and innovation as foundations for a prosperous and inclusive future. She noted that the UAE’s rise in the HDI rankings reflects its proactive and future-ready approach to policymaking, prioritizing human wellbeing alongside economic growth.
The report also examined the expanding influence of AI on human development, urging for adaptive, human-focused strategies in healthcare, education, and living standards to prevent widening disparities between countries with varying development levels. The emphasis on human capital as a critical factor in the digital age was underscored.
Furthermore, the UAE achieved a notable ranking of third globally in 2023 for net migration of AI-skilled professionals, based on LinkedIn data, highlighting its status as a global hub for AI talent. The report mentioned that high-income countries like the UAE benefit from an influx of specialized talent, whereas lower-income nations experience losses. It advocated for a cooperative digital economy where humans and AI collaborate, emphasizing empowerment through knowledge and technology to achieve inclusive and sustainable growth.