UAE leads GCC in social progress – report

The UAE leads the GCC in social progress and equality, according to a new report.

The 2019 Social Progress Index – which ranks countries around the world based on 51 indicators, including inclusiveness, human rights, health, education, safety, affordable housing and more – finds the UAE once again in the top spot in the Gulf region. The UAE also ranked higher than countries such as China, India, Russia and Turkey.

Overall, the UAE ranked 61st worldwide in social progress, according to the index.

As has been the case for a number of years (or at least since the first edition of the Social Progress Index in 2014), the latest social progress rankings were dominated by Nordic countries. Norway led the rankings, followed by Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Iceland, New Zealand, Germany, Canada and Japan.

In the Arab World, behind the UAE were Jordan, Oman, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

The Social Progress Index is compiled each year by the Social Progress Imperative, a US-based non-profit organisation.

AT A GLANCE: 2019 SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX – WORLDWIDE LEADERS

1. Norway
2. Denmark
3. Switzerland
4. Finland
5. Sweden
6. Iceland
7. New Zealand
8. Germany
9. Canada
10. Japan

AT A GLANCE: 2019 SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX – ARAB WORLD LEADERS

1. UAE
2. Jordan
3. Oman
4. Algeria
5. Morocco