UAE – Most Prosperous Country in MENA

The 2014 Legatum Prosperity Index was just released. This year, the research examines prosperity of 142 countries by taking into account 89 variables. UAE is the most prosperous country in MENA region. Like in 2013, UAE is ranked amongst the global top 30, surpassing Italy, Thailand and China.

The country continues to be 28th on the Prosperity Index in 2014. According to Legatum, the UAE registers its best performance in the Economy sub-index and it occupies the 10th spot. The study informs that six out of 10 expats in the UAE share that now is good time to find a job. This optimism is nearly two times higher compared to the global average.

The poorest score of the UAE is on the sub-index of Personal Freedom – 55th. However, compared to 2012, the country has climbed this sub-ranking by nearly 10 positions. Furthermore, people living in the country seem to be more than happy with the freedom there are given. According to the report, almost 94% of the respondents from the UAE say that they are satisfied with their freedom of choice.

In general, UAE’s performance on this year’s Prosperity Index is quite impressive. For example, the country is 26 in Safety and Security and it ranks 31st in Entrepreneurship and Opportunity. As a result, the UAE is the top-ranked MENA country. Kuwait comes second on the regional list with its 36th spot on the global ranking. The country’s best score is on the economy sub-index, where it is 16th in the world. Third most prosperous country in MENA, according to the Index, is Israel (38). It is followed by Saudi Arabia and Jordan at 47th and 82nd positions, respectively.

World’s most prosperous countries in 2014:

• Norway
• Switzerland
• New Zealand
• Denmark
• Canada
• Sweden
• Australia
• Finland
• Netherlands
• United States
• 28. United Arab Emirates

On the global ranking, Norway takes the first spot, although it is first only on the Social Capital sub-index. Switzerland is second mainly thanks to its performance in the categories education and economy. The European dominance is disturbed by New Zealand, which has managed to secure a spot in the top 20 across all sub-categories.

Australia is best in Education this year and 7th on the Prosperity Index. Sweden (6), on the other hand, is a leader when it comes to Entrepreneurship and Opportunity. The United States (10) is the top country on the sub-index for health.

At the very bottom of the 2014 Prosperity Index are mainly African countries. The least prosperous nation is the Central African Republic. It has the poorest score in Entrepreneurship and Opportunity. Also, at the bottom are Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Burundi and Yemen.