Is the UAE Really Unsafe? Looking at Facts Beyond Public Perception

Safety discussion in Dubai and the UAE, in general, is often discussed in the international media, but looking deeper into the facts and personal experience, one can see a more complex picture. The institutional clarity, rigorous application of the rules, and legal responsibility constitute the main determinants of public security in the UAE, but not religion or ideology. In some cities in the West, the lack of police capacity and the lack of trust in even institutions lead to the fact that the outlier cases take disproportionate coverage. Conversely, when dealing with the issue of public order, the UAE is very firm in its approach to the given issue, which is mostly based on quick prosecution and no tolerance for harassment, which is mostly the daily life of the locals. To millions of people residing in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, security is not a media consensus, but a government one.

Safety Performance and What the Numbers Indicate

International Rating and Immigration

The United Arab Emirates was ranked as the safest nation in the world with a score of 84.5 in the 2025 Safety Index by Numbeo, just above Andorra. Other Gulf nations, including Qatar and Oman, also ranked high, showing the high level of safety in the region. In comparison, the United Kingdom had a score of 51.7 (87th position), and the United States had 50.8 (89th position), indicating a weaker perceived safety level in both states.

According to the Global Millionaire Migration data that focuses on the area where high-net-worth individuals are settling in 2025, there is a significant change in the location of the settlement. The United Arab Emirates tops the list of the world with a net inflow of approximately 9,800 millionaires, and the United States with 7,500. The European markets, including Italy, Switzerland, Portugal, and Greece, also have positive gains, which are in line with their attractiveness in terms of lifestyle, stability, and residence. Saudi Arabia and Singapore also receive significant inflows in Asia and the Middle East. 

On the city level, Abu Dhabi has been confirmed as the safest city in the world by CEOWORLD Magazine several years in a row. It remains one of the top-rated cities in terms of safety and has the lowest crime rates in hundreds of global cities, the result of long-term work to maintain order in the local population and ensure their security.

These are safety outcomes that are consistent with the world migration patterns. The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2025 ranks the UAE as the country that will receive approximately 9,800 millionaires more than any other country. This movement implies good faith in the stability of the country, its economic future, and the quality of life in general.

Institutional Strength vs. Problems in Other Regions

Law and Order Law and Government

The fact that the UAE has a good safety reputation can be closely related to the focus on a clear legal framework and enforcement. The presence of law and order in the form of visible police presence, responsive legal systems, and zero-tolerance policy on crime and harassment are important factors that define the level of security among the residents.

Conversely, low levels of policing and slow justice are some of the challenges that many cities in the West are experiencing. Major cities such as Los Angeles are yet to overcome organized crime and are charged with murder, extortion, and drug trafficking.

In some Western settings, political demonstrations or even scandalous utterances can also take center stage in the news, which can even fuel the paranoia of the masses, even though they have little consequences on the daily lives of the majority of citizens.

Seeing and knowing: the place of everyday experience.

Press Concentration and Publicity

The media tends to focus on flashy or high-profile events that may sanction the broader system reality. These events portrayed out of context will distort the world’s view of security.

In comparison, it is often stated by the people living in the UAE that daily life is organized and safe. The high policing standards and visible policing also create a pronounced feeling of security, and it is supported by global safety ratings. Crime does not disrupt the everyday life of many individuals in the cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and this boosts the confidence of the population.

Governance, Trust, and Social Order

Stability in the application of the law and efficient governance in the UAE prevent crimes and solve problems in a short time. The strictness of rules and regulations, which are developed on social order, uphold the norms of social life and order. In Western countries, though, partial application and lack of confidence in the institutions may amplify the investigation of individual safety accidents.

All in all, as much as the media might show different things about Dubai and the UAE, the experience of millions of people demonstrates that it is a nation with good governance, good enforcement of laws, and a high degree of personal security. This policy-to-reality correspondence is one of the reasons why the UAE remains the destination of residents who want to find safety, prospects, and stability.