Scope of Vision 2021 for the Emirati society

Maintaining a cohesive society and preserved identity is one of the six pillars of the National Agenda in line with Vision 2021. Thus, it promotes an inclusive environment that integrates all segments of society while preserving the UAE's unique culture, heritage and traditions and reinforces social and family cohesion.

Furthermore, the National Agenda aims for the UAE to be among the best in the world in the Human Development Index and to be the happiest of all nations so that its citizens feel proud to belong to the UAE. The National Agenda also sets an ambitious plan to increase the UAE's achievements in the sports field and set a target to win more medals in international and Olympic games.

The UAE has set Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure its performance against its targets of 2021. They are:

• Happiness Index
• National Identity Index
• Human Development Index
• Social Cohesion Index
• Family Cohesion Index
• Number of Olympic medals won

The UAE's achievements in social development

Since 1980, the UAE has made significant progress in all areas of social development. As per a report published in WAM, between 1980 and 2013, the Human Development Index in the UAE increased from 0.640 to 0.827; this is a 29.2 percent increase.

Average life expectancy increased from 67.6 years in 1980 to 76.8 years in 2013. Years of schooling increased from 8.6 years to 13.3 years. In addition, the UAE made significant achievements in sectors of human development, happiness and others.

The UAE's ranking in Human Development Report (HDR)

The Human Development Report evaluates the status and role of factors that influence the development of people. The Human Development Report 2014 noted the remarkable progress made by the UAE with regards to human health, education and gross national income. The human development index increased to the 40th position among 187 countries around the world.

According to the report, issued by the United Nations Development Programme, the average life expectancy of citizens in the UAE increased to 76.8 years as compared to 76.7 years in the 2013 report, while the average number of years of schooling for citizens has now reached 13.3 years, compared to 12 years in the last report.

The empowerment of women, involvement of youth, encouragement of national employment, development of human capital and the ability to cope with environmental and human-made disasters are some of the most important areas regarded by decision-makers, according to the Human Development Report for 2014.

Related links:

• Human Development Data (1980-2015) - UNDP
• Human Development Report 2015 (PDF, 5MB)
• UAE ranks among most developed countries - Emirates 24|7

The UAE's rankings as a work destination

The UAE is one of the most attractive countries for foreigners to work and live in. Top reasons include tax-free salary, high standard of living, excellent infrastructure, political and economic stability and geographic proximity to many countries in the world.

According to the Expat Insider Survey for the year 2015, which interviewed 14,000 expatriate residents in 64 countries,

• nearly 6 out of 10 were happy with their work-life balance in the UAE
• nearly 3 out of 5 thought they got good health care
• 9 of out 10 expatriate families believed that the UAE is a healthy and safe place to raise their children
• about 60 per cent were happy with childcare
• 71 per cent were happy with schools and education
• nearly 9 out of 10 said they liked living here because it gave them an opportunity to travel
• 83 per cent were pleased with the choice of leisure activities on offer
• the UAE ranks 21st in quality of life index
• the UAE is among the top 10 destinations for managers.

The UAE also ranked 1st globally in peaceful coexistence among nationalities, with residents from over 200 countries, according to the report of the UN International Organization for Peace, Care and Relief for 2014.

According to the World Bank 2016 World Bank migration and remittances fact book, in 2014, the UAE-based workers remitted USD 19.28 billion (AED 70 billion) home. That is approximately USD 2 billion more than the entire overseas development aid budget of the UK, the world's second most generous donor during the same period.

Related links

•  Find out publications about workers' welfare on the website of Ministry of Human Resources & Emiratisation.

Achieving happiness in society

Read about happiness in the UAE.