Inside Abu Dhabi’s latest quality of life survey: Over 94pc feel safe at night
New cycle launched to capture community voice across emirate
ABU DHABI – The capital of United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to record measurable gains in how residents experience daily life, according to the sixth cycle of the Quality of Life Survey released by the Department of Community Development.
Conducted in 2025, the survey highlights improvements across social cohesion, safety, housing, and personal well-being, offering a data-led snapshot of life in Abu Dhabi.
The findings also arrive alongside the launch of the seventh survey cycle for 2026, which began in March and will run for three months. The initiative is positioned as a key mechanism for capturing community sentiment and translating it into policy decisions that shape services and infrastructure across the emirate.
Growing voices
Participation in the survey has more than doubled since its launch, rising from 51,413 respondents in 2018 to 115,801 in 2025. The increase reflects a growing awareness among residents about the role of public feedback in shaping government strategies.
Officials say this expansion signals rising trust in institutional processes, with more individuals contributing insights on their needs, priorities, and lived experiences. The survey has evolved into a central feedback channel, enabling authorities to track trends over time and assess the impact of policy interventions across different sectors.
Social fabric
Key indicators point to strong social cohesion across Abu Dhabi. Satisfaction with social relationships reached 75.8 per cent, while satisfaction with family life climbed to 78.4 per cent. The latter marks a notable increase from 70.9 per cent recorded in the previous cycle.
Safety continues to stand out as a defining feature of life in the emirate. A significant 94.1 per cent of respondents reported feeling safe while walking at night, underlining the effectiveness of security systems and public safety measures. These figures align with broader efforts to maintain stability and enhance quality of life through community-focused initiatives.
Living standards
Housing satisfaction also recorded improvement, rising to 71.5 percent compared to the previous year. The increase highlights continued investment in residential infrastructure and urban development, with a focus on meeting the expectations of a growing and diverse population.
Beyond housing, broader well-being indicators show steady progress. The average happiness score reached 7.88 out of 10, continuing an upward trajectory observed in recent years. Work-life balance, often cited as a key factor in overall satisfaction, improved to 51.1 percent, up from 46.8 percent in the previous cycle.
These indicators collectively provide a multi-dimensional view of quality of life, encompassing emotional well-being, living conditions, and social connectivity.
Data to action
According to the Department of Community Development, survey findings have played a direct role in shaping social strategies and initiatives across Abu Dhabi. Over successive cycles, the data has been used to inform programmes targeting various segments of society, translating feedback into tangible outcomes.
Dr Aref Al Hammadi, Acting Director General for Strategic and Digital Affairs, described the survey as a cornerstone of evidence-based decision-making. He noted that the results reflect both the level of community engagement and areas requiring further attention, reinforcing the importance of continuous data collection.
The newly launched seventh cycle aims to build on this foundation, with authorities encouraging residents to participate and contribute to future planning. Officials emphasise that community input remains central to developing services that align with real needs, ensuring that policy frameworks remain responsive and inclusive across the emirate.