United Arab Emirates
- Capital
Abu Dhabi
- In total area
83.600 km²
- Population
9.365.000
- Density
123 inhabitants/km²
- Pro-capite GDP
$ 44.315,55
- Average net annual salary
$ 40.000,00
- Currency
dirham
20
Location
15,5
Freedom
21,2
Lifestyle
21,1
Taxation
16,3
Expat
23,6
Business
21,4
Family
18,7
Retirement
20,4
Future
Final Score: 178,2
GV Rank: 10th
| Location | Beauty | Safety | Pollution | Services | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
3 |
5 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
20 |
| Freedom | Democracy | Economic | Speech | Justice | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
2 |
4 |
1,5 |
4,5 |
3,5 |
15,5 |
| Lifestyle | Quality | Cost | Happiness | Education | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4,6 |
2,5 |
4,5 |
4,7 |
4,9 |
21,2 |
| Taxation | Rate | System | Black List | Agreement | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4,7 |
5 |
3,2 |
4,2 |
4 |
21,1 |
| Expat | Passport | Residence | Citizenship | Duties | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
5 |
4,8 |
1 |
2 |
3,5 |
16,3 |
| Business | Economic | System | Service | Justice | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4,3 |
5 |
5 |
4,5 |
4,8 |
23,6 |
| Family | Education | Healthcare | Safety | Family | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4,7 |
4,5 |
5 |
3,2 |
4 |
21,4 |
| Retirement | Safety | Retirement | Healthcare | Quality | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
5 |
2,1 |
4,5 |
4,6 |
2,5 |
18,7 |
| Future | Innovation | Peace | Enviroment | Economic | GV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
4,7 |
3,8 |
4,1 |
4,3 |
3,5 |
20,4 |
Country overview
The UAE is an Arab country in the Middle East located in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula, in Western Asia. It is made up of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, ʿAjmān, Dubai, Fujairah, Ra's al-Khayma, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaywayn. The country gained independence from Great Britain in 1971. The United Arab Emirates today represents one of the richest countries in the world, strong in its oil industry and a relatively small population; the country has also become highly multi-ethnic thanks to the attraction of foreign funding and the manpower that the UAE increasingly needs to build its infrastructure. The majority of residents are in fact made up of immigrants from the Indian subcontinent and the rest of the Arab world. The official language is Arabic, but English is also widely spoken. From a political point of view, the UAE is an Islamic absolute monarchy. The climate of the United Arab Emirates is arid subtropical, with mild winters and hot summers. Average temperatures reach highs of over 48°C on the coastal plain. The average annual rainfall in the coastal area is less than 120 mm.
Location
The UAE is a country that on a geographical level mixes large desert expanses with the coasts where practically all the urban centers are located; perhaps not very interesting in the hinterland on a historical and architectural level, the great attraction of the country lies rather in the metropolises such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are experiencing exponential building development and are home to some of the most futuristic projects in the world. Furthermore, the UAE is considered the safest country in the world in terms of crime and the guaranteed public services have few equals in the entire world, especially in the main metropolises. There is strong air pollution, the absence of greenery, despite excellent gardens and flowers and a different acidity of the water from the pipes than usual.
Freedom
The UAE is an absolute monarchy, therefore a substantially authoritarian government; some social networks are controlled, political dissidence is not tolerated. Some voice services of some applications do not work. In various legal areas, Islamic law and Shari'a apply, although there are special courts for foreigners where it is possible to choose the applicable law. On an economic level, however, the UAE is extremely inclined to attract foreign investments also to diversify its economy, which is too tied to oil; foreign investments are therefore welcome and there is a certain tolerance in general for foreigners bringing capital and work into the country. The application of Shari'a is underlined in the area of inheritance, except for some solutions.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle of the UAE is now quite well known in the world: the quality of life is very high, as is the cost of the main goods and services in general. Everything is aimed at ostentation and luxury. It can therefore be an interesting destination for those with large earnings or significant assets, less so for those looking for a "quiet" place where they can live at low cost and without great demands.
Taxation
Taxation in the UAE is notoriously very low, if not zero. Not surprisingly, it is generally considered a tax haven. Starting from 2023, however, a corporate tax of 9% has been introduced for income wherever produced. Capital gains, royalties and dividends are exempt from taxation. The Free Zones are also famous, created specifically to attract foreign capital. Tax evasion can also have very serious consequences for the taxpayer. In general, the UAE has several agreements on double taxation and exchange of information (it joins the CRS), but not all of them are in line with OECD standards. It is currently on the Black List on the presumption of residence, but not on that of non-cooperating countries. As regards the new taxation, we highlight the introduction of fiscal and accounting principles which could have critical consequences when interpreted, also due to the fact that these principles have never existed.
Expat
Taking up residence in the UAE is quite simple, especially if you intend to open a business there and therefore through a company; the opposite must be said for citizenship, which cannot be obtained with the extension of permanent residence, considering that in any case the country does not even provide for dual citizenship. Finally, it should be remembered that the death penalty is in force in the country and Shari'a still applies in many aspects.
Business
The UAE is now famous for the ease with which it attracts foreign investments and capital. Economic freedom is very high, bureaucracy is streamlined, services are essentially perfect. It is certainly an ideal place for business and the emirs do everything possible to facilitate the entry of capital, work and qualified personnel.
Family
The country does not have a very high index regarding "family friendly": the numerous services are much more attentive to the needs of businessmen and investors rather than families. The excellence of services, however, such as education and healthcare, but also low crime, make the country potentially attractive also for relocating one's family.
Retirement
Even though the services for the elderly are of an excellent level (healthcare, public services, etc.), the country does not seem to be the ideal destination for retiring, given the high cost of living and the frenetic climate, decidedly more suitable for career people than for those who are retired.
Future
Addressing the challenges of the near future is one of the main objectives of the UAE, as demonstrated by the strong investment in futuristic works, in research (including space), and the high levels of ratings in the indices on technological innovation and environmental issues; all to keep pace with innovation and above all to break free from economic dependence on oil. The absolutist form of government and its geopolitical position, however, are factors of potential instability that cannot be completely ignored in the medium-long term, especially due to the tensions typical of the Middle Eastern area between Sunnis and Shiites.
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