Abu Dhabi: The Department of Community Development, Abu Dhabi has revealed an increase in happiness and quality of life in the emirate, based on results from the fifth cycle of the Quality of Life Survey, completed in 2024. The findings reaffirm Abu Dhabi’s global standing as one of the world’s safest and most livable cities.
Key results include a rise in the happiness index from 7.63 to 7.74 (out of 10), and 93.6% of residents reporting feeling safe walking alone at night.
These figures align with Abu Dhabi’s top ranking as the world’s safest city in 2025, according to international safety indices.
Over 100,000 residents from 190 nationalities took part in the survey, which assessed 14 indicators, including housing, employment, health, and digital quality of life.
In collaboration with the OECD, new indicators on social cohesion and civic participation were introduced, revealing that 75.6% of residents have strong social support and 34.3% participate in volunteer work.
Engineer Sheikha Al Hosani, Executive Director at the Department, said the results reflect long-term investment in policies that enhance public welfare.
She also highlighted the launch of the Nabd Al Falah Community Centre as an example of converting public feedback into action.
The survey also showed growing satisfaction with digital services, though it flagged concerns about digital technology's psychological impact signaling the need for policies balancing digital growth with mental health.
Residents are being encouraged to participate in the upcoming sixth survey cycle, as public engagement is considered key to shaping future policies.
With a population representing over 200 nationalities, Abu Dhabi continues to lead in inclusive urban development, aiming to set global benchmarks for quality of life through innovation and community-focused governance.
