Abu Dhabi tops global safety list: What the World can learn from UAE
TL;DR:
Abu Dhabi
tops
Numbeo
's 2025 Crime Index as the world's safest city.
The
UAE
capital maintains this position for the ninth consecutive year since 2017.
Dubai,
Sharjah
,
Ras Al Khaimah
, and
Ajman
also feature in the global top 10.
Data confirms the UAE's comprehensive approach to safety and security across multiple emirates.
For the ninth consecutive year, Abu Dhabi has been officially named the safest city in the world, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to security, stability, and quality of life.
The latest data from Numbeo (a crowd-sourced online database) 2025 Crime Index has once again placed Abu Dhabi at the top of the global list of 380 cities.
This achievement not only underscores the capital's robust policing strategies but also reflects the UAE's broader national focus on public safety and community well-being. At a time when global urban centres face increasing safety challenges, Abu Dhabi's consistency offers a model of effective governance and citizen engagement.
Abu Dhabi's Safety Index: The Numbers That Matter
Numbeo's 2025 report assigns Abu Dhabi a crime index score of 11.6 and a safety index of 88.4, both indicators showing negligible levels of crime and high public confidence in safety measures. The index is based on user-contributed data on crime perceptions, safety levels, and experiences from people living in these cities. The lower the crime index score, the safer a city is deemed to be, while a higher safety index reflects a stronger sense of security among residents.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
No annual fees for life
UnionBank Credit Card
Apply Now
Undo
The Abu Dhabi Media Office confirmed this achievement via official channels, highlighting the emirate's ongoing efforts to maintain safety standards that surpass even traditionally secure global cities.
UAE's Safety Leadership Across Multiple Emirates
While Abu Dhabi retained its crown, the UAE as a whole demonstrated remarkable consistency in global safety rankings. According to Numbeo 2025 Crime Index report, several other emirates also secured top spots:
Dubai:
Ranked 4th globally, known for its modern urban infrastructure combined with cutting-edge surveillance systems.
Sharjah:
Placed 3rd, praised for its community policing and urban safety policies.
Ras Al Khaimah and Ajman:
Both listed among the top 10, reflecting the UAE's federal commitment to safety across all regions.
This national performance signifies a strategic effort led by UAE authorities to standardise safety policies across emirates, contributing to an environment where residents and visitors feel consistently secure regardless of where they are in the country.
Factors Behind Abu Dhabi's Continued Success
The continuous recognition of Abu Dhabi's safety is no accident. It is the product of long-term policy decisions, significant investment in technology, and strategic law enforcement practices. Authorities in Abu Dhabi, particularly the Abu Dhabi Police, have adopted an integrated security approach. This includes:
Advanced Surveillance
:
The emirate has invested in AI-powered surveillance and monitoring systems that enhance crime detection and prevention capabilities.
Community Policing:
Abu Dhabi actively promotes community engagement in safety matters, ensuring that residents play an active role in alerting authorities and collaborating on crime prevention.
Rapid Response Systems:
Emergency services in Abu Dhabi are highly responsive, further enhancing the sense of security for residents and tourists alike.
Broader Impact on Residents and Business
The impact of a high safety index extends well beyond the local population's peace of mind. For residents, it translates into a higher quality of life with the freedom to move around the city at all hours without fear.
This is particularly significant for women, families, and the elderly who cite safety as a top factor in their overall well-being.
For businesses and foreign investors, Abu Dhabi's safety record enhances the emirate's attractiveness as a destination for global conferences, multinational headquarters, and investment hubs. Tourism also benefits greatly, with visitors choosing safer cities for leisure and business travel.
Safety and Liveability
Abu Dhabi's reputation for safety complements its broader status as one of the region's most liveable cities. In the 2024 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index, Abu Dhabi was rated highly for stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure—elements that are directly linked to public safety outcomes. Additionally, a 2023 Gallup Global Law and Order report placed the UAE among the top nations where residents feel safest walking alone at night, with a confidence rate exceeding 90%.
These accolades demonstrate that safety is not just a policing issue but also a reflection of overall governance, social policy, and economic stability.
Role of Technology and Innovation
Abu Dhabi's embrace of smart technologies has been pivotal in maintaining its top safety ranking. The emirate has implemented an integrated security network that employs:
Facial Recognition Technology:
Deployed in key public areas to quickly identify persons of interest.
Smart Traffic Monitoring:
Ensures road safety and enforces traffic rules, reducing accidents and violations.
Data Analytics:
Used to predict and prevent crime by analysing patterns and behaviours.
These technologies not only help prevent crime but also reinforce public confidence in the state's ability to safeguard its people.
UAE's Unified Safety Strategy
The UAE's national safety policy ensures that best practices developed in Abu Dhabi are replicated across other emirates. Dubai, for instance, combines its tourism appeal with heavy investment in urban security and digital monitoring. Sharjah and Ajman also apply federal safety protocols, ensuring that residents across the UAE experience a comparable level of security.
This collaborative approach is a hallmark of the UAE's governance, contributing to its overall success in international safety rankings.
Abu Dhabi's ninth consecutive win as the safest city globally is a testament to strategic leadership, innovative policing, and active community participation. This achievement not only positions the UAE capital as a role model for global cities but also bolsters the country's reputation as a destination of choice for residents, tourists, and investors alike.
The UAE's comprehensive strategy ensures that security is not confined to the capital but is a shared priority across all emirates, enhancing the nation's global standing in safety, governance, and liveability.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
DM inspects ropeway project sites, RO/ARO exam centres in Kashi
Varanasi: District Magistrate Satyendra Kumar on Saturday inspected the ropeway project site between its first and second stations at Varanasi Junction (Cantt railway station) and Kashi Vidyapith. During the inspection, the DM sought details of the remaining works at these points and instructed officials concerned to ensure that the project is completed on time. Currently, the project works are hindered due to damages caused in Ghodanala at Godowlia while erecting the last tower of the ropeway urban transport project. With completion of repairs to the damaged portion of Ghodanala, the works at the last tower and the last station at Godowlia will be intensified. Meanwhile, the DM inspected centres of the Review Officer/Assistant Review Officer (Preliminary) Examination-2023 at Harishchandra Intermediate College, Maidagin, and neighbouring areas. The exam is scheduled for Sunday. The DM conducted a thorough check of CCTV cameras, the control room, lighting arrangements, drinking water, toilets, seating arrangements, etc at the examination centres. During the inspection, he gave clear instruction that any kind of negligence in the examination will not be tolerated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo All officials must arrive at the centre before commencement of the exam to review all arrangements. The district magistrate further noted that electronic devices like mobile phones, smartwatches, and Bluetooth devices will be completely prohibited in the examination centre.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Retd Air Force officer abducted in Gorakhpur, rescued in 12 hours
Gorakhpur: A retired Air Force officer was kidnapped while cycling to the railway stadium for his regular swim around 5.30am on Friday, only to be rescued by police hours later. The abductors had demanded Rs 1 crore in ransom from his wife, a govt doctor, police said on Saturday. The victim, Ashok Jaiswal (65), was abducted seven men traveling in two cars near an underpass in Shahpur area. Police said the kidnappers blindfolded Jaiswal and drove him across districts—even reaching Ayodhya—before contacting his wife Dr Sushma Jaiswal, through a WhatsApp call to demand the ransom. Following the call, Dr Jaiswal immediately alerted the Shahpur police. Acting swiftly, the police formed six teams and scrutinized over 250 CCTV footage clips to trace the movement of the kidnappers. In a well-coordinated plan, the police instructed Dr Jaiswal to agree to deliver the ransom at Kalesar Zero Point, where the accused had called her. As the suspects arrived to collect the money, police teams laid a trap and nabbed three of the abductors. Ashok Jaiswal was rescued unharmed during the operation, officials said. The arrested were identified as Karunesh Dubey, a property dealer with a criminal history; Guddu alias Shyam Sundar; and Janardan Gaur. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Can You Really Own a Luxury Dubai Apartment from India? Binghatti Developers FZE Contact Us Undo Two of the accused suffered fractures while attempting to escape. The vehicle used in the abduction belonged to Karunesh Dubey, police confirmed. SP City Abhinav Tyagi, while confirming the arrests on Saturday, said raids are underway to capture the remaining accused, including the mastermind Kalamuddin. All those arrested are aged between 22 and 28 years and come from varied backgrounds, including aspiring servicemen and fishermen.
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Fraudsters pose as J&K ATS, dupe retd bank official of Rs 28L
Lucknow: In a new variation of 'digital arrest' scam, cyber fraudsters posing as officers of the Jammu & Kashmir Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) duped a 63-year-old retired bank cashier in Lucknow of over Rs 28 lakh after confining him to psychological captivity through threats of espionage and sedition charges. The victim, Narendra Kumar Mishra, a resident of Vikas Nagar and a retired employee of Indian Overseas Bank, filed a complaint at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Gomtinagar, alleging that he was virtually placed under house arrest for over a week. The FIR was registered late Friday. According to Mishra, he received a phone call on June 28 from a man who introduced himself as an officer from the Jammu and Kashmir ATS. The caller accused Mishra of sending classified Indian Army documents to Pakistan and claimed that a case of terrorism was registered against him. Mishra was warned not to inform the police or anyone else, as he was "under surveillance." The pressure escalated when Mishra received a WhatsApp video call from a man dressed in a police uniform, who claimed to be UP ATS chief. The impersonator told him he could be arrested under the National Security Act and Unlawful Activities Prevention Act unless he "cooperated" discreetly. In a state of panic, Mishra began following their instructions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Do you have a mouse? Desert Order Undo On July 1, he transferred Rs 10.99 lakh via RTGS to a bank account in the name of Shree Durga Mata Mandir Trust located in Badhra, Haryana. Then, on July 4, he was made to transfer Rs 17.45 lakh to another account in Mumbai under the name Ramesh Chandra. Throughout this period, the fraudsters maintained constant control over him through WhatsApp calls and messages. "They monitored my every move. They told me not to step out, not to speak to bank officials or my family. I was mentally locked up in my own house," Mishra told police. The money was part of his post-retirement corpus. It was only after the pressure began to lift and he spoke to a relative that Mishra realised he had been conned. Cybercrime cell in-charge, SHO Brijesh Yadav said: "We are tracing the flow of money and identifying the mule accounts. The scam has characteristics similar to other 'digital arrest' frauds, but the impersonation of J&K ATS is a new twist," he said. Police believe this may be part of a wider network of cyber criminals who are shifting tactics by invoking high-stakes national security fears to exploit individuals. Officials are also examining whether deepfake videos or pre-recorded uniformed visuals were used to impersonate ATS officers.
