Nearly one-third of UAE residents report zero major concerns across economy, employment, safety and governance — more than any other country surveyed worldwide.
A new Gallup survey released on 4 February 2026 at the World Government Summit has placed the UAE at the top of a 107-country ranking for public satisfaction. The finding is striking: roughly 30 per cent of people living in the Emirates say they have no pressing problems related to economic conditions, job prospects, government performance, or personal safety.
Kuwait and Bahrain followed the UAE in the Gulf-led top three.
What Did the Gallup Survey Measure?
The report — titled The World’s Most Important Problem: What People Need Leaders to Hear in 2026 — asked adults across 107 nations to identify their country’s single most pressing problem. Responses fell into 12 categories, but four dominated globally: economic concerns, work and employment, politics and governance, and safety and security.
Jon Clifton, CEO of Gallup, summarised the takeaway bluntly. Progress, he said, is felt through safety, dignity, and opportunity in daily life — not through GDP charts.
What Concerns UAE Residents Most?
Even in the world’s most satisfied country, residents still flagged priorities. Here is how the top concerns broke down:
| Concern | Share of Respondents |
|---|---|
| Environment | 19% |
| Work & Employment | 12% |
| Infrastructure | 12% |
| Economy | 7% |
Notice what’s missing from the top of the list: safety and security. That’s significant. In a country where Abu Dhabi holds the title of the world’s safest city for nine consecutive years, physical safety barely registers as a public worry. Residents can focus on quality-of-life improvements rather than basic security.
The environment topping the list at 19 per cent also reflects a population that feels secure enough to focus on forward-looking issues — a luxury many countries simply don’t have.
UAE Trust Levels Are Also the Highest Worldwide
The Gallup results align with another major finding from January 2026. The Edelman Trust Barometer placed the UAE first globally for public trust in government — confirming that satisfaction and institutional confidence go hand in hand.
Perhaps the most telling statistic: 63 per cent of UAE residents believe the next generation will be better off. Globally, that figure sits at just 32 per cent. That kind of generational optimism is rare and speaks directly to how people perceive their own economic and social trajectory.
For those considering relocating to the UAE, this data offers a clear signal about the country’s stability and direction.
What the Global Picture Looks Like
The Gallup data paints a very different story outside the UAE. Globally, economic anxiety leads the pack — cited as the number one national concern in 71 of 107 countries surveyed.
Key global patterns include:
- Economy: The top concern in two-thirds of nations. Young adults aged 15–34 feel the pressure most acutely, and women cite economic issues more frequently than men.
- Work and employment: The second most common concern globally. Critically, dissatisfaction isn’t driven by unemployment alone — it stems from how connected people feel to their work.
- Politics and governance: A dominant concern in wealthier, more stable societies where institutional trust runs low.
- Safety and security: Eclipses all other priorities in countries experiencing active conflict or post-conflict instability.
This contrast highlights why the UAE’s position is so notable. When residents don’t feel anxious about the economy or their safety, they turn attention to environmental quality and infrastructure — concerns that reflect ambition rather than survival.
Why UAE Satisfaction Matters for Expats and Professionals
The UAE’s workforce satisfaction data carries practical weight for anyone working in or planning to move to the Emirates.
High public satisfaction correlates with political stability, consistent policy direction, and sustained investment in public services. For professionals, this translates into a predictable business environment. The country continues to attract talent — evidenced by the ongoing wealth migration to Dubai and Abu Dhabi and a private sector that has absorbed over 152,000 Emirati nationals as part of the government’s Emiratisation drive.
Workplace culture is keeping pace too. The Top 100 Best Workplaces in the UAE rankings and growing remote work policies showing productivity gains of 4.6 per cent underscore an employment market that actively responds to what workers want.
Meanwhile, evolving work trends — from pay-for-performance models to personalised benefits — show employers adapting at pace. The cost of living remains a consideration, and our Dubai expat cost of living guide breaks the numbers down in detail.
Key Takeaway
The UAE’s number-one ranking in the 2026 Gallup global satisfaction survey confirms what multiple independent studies now show: residents of the Emirates experience higher levels of trust, optimism, and day-to-day contentment than citizens in any other surveyed nation. For expats and professionals weighing a move, this data reinforces the UAE’s position as one of the most stable and forward-looking labour markets in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which country ranks highest for public satisfaction in 2026? The UAE ranks first globally in the 2026 Gallup survey, with nearly one-third of residents reporting no major concerns about economy, employment, safety or government performance. Kuwait and Bahrain placed second and third.
What are the main concerns of UAE residents according to Gallup? Environment leads at 19 per cent, followed by work and employment at 12 per cent, infrastructure at 12 per cent, and economy at 7 per cent. Safety and security did not feature among the top concerns.
How many countries were included in the Gallup 2026 survey? The survey covered adults in 107 countries and was released at the World Government Summit in Dubai on 4 February 2026.
Does the UAE also rank highest for government trust? Yes. The 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer placed the UAE highest globally for trust in government, complementing the Gallup satisfaction findings.
What percentage of UAE residents are optimistic about the next generation? Sixty-three per cent of UAE residents believe the next generation will be better off — nearly double the global average of 32 per cent, according to the Edelman index.
What is the biggest global concern according to the Gallup study? The economy was cited as the top national problem in 71 out of 107 countries. Young adults aged 15–34 expressed the highest levels of economic anxiety.
Is the UAE a good place to work as an expat based on this data? The satisfaction data suggests a stable, forward-looking environment for professionals. Combined with Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s liveability rankings and a growing job market, the UAE remains highly competitive for international talent.
Further Reading
- Abu Dhabi Named World’s Safest City 2025 – Numbeo Safety Index
- Top 100 Best Workplaces in UAE 2025
- UAE Government Efficiency Rankings 2025
- Dubai Ranks in Top 20 Wealthiest Cities: Career Opportunities
- Your Essential Checklist for Moving to the UAE in 2025
- UAE Work Trends 2025: Population Growth Transforms Pay and Flexibility
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