A new survey has found that 94 per cent of expats living in the UAE plan to remain in the country for the foreseeable future, with quality of life, job opportunities, and safety emerging as the top reasons for staying.
The findings, released as part of the UAE Expat Monitor by ARCET Global in partnership with QuestionPro, come amid recent speculation about the UAE’s appeal to foreign workers. The survey found that 87 per cent of respondents believe the UAE offers more opportunities than their home country.
Perhaps the most notable finding was that tax-free income was not the biggest reason expats chose to stay. Instead, respondents ranked quality of life and job opportunities as the top factors (both 88 per cent), followed by safety and low crime (87 per cent). Tax-free income ranked fifth, with 81 per cent selecting it as an important reason to remain in the country.
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Mark Hamill, CEO of ARCET Global, said: “With the UAE’s appeal to foreign workers recently coming under the spotlight, we combined our research capabilities with QuestionPro’s to let the expat community put any doubts about their future to rest.”
He added that the findings show the UAE “still holds a huge pull for foreign talent and the opportunity for growth that brings.”
Sandeep Nambiar, a 39-year-old finance manager who has lived in Dubai for the past nine years, said his priorities have changed over time. “When I first moved to the UAE, the tax-free salary was definitely one of the biggest attractions.”
“But over the years, I have realised that what really keeps me here is the overall quality of life. I can walk around at any time and feel safe, public services are efficient, and there are always opportunities to grow professionally,” added Sandeep. “My family is settled here now, and we have built a comfortable life. For me, it’s no longer just about making some money as well as living happy.”
The survey also found that 97 per cent of respondents consider the UAE a safe and stable place to live.
Looking ahead, expats expressed confidence in the country’s future, with 87 per cent expecting innovation to increase over the next five years, compared with 56 per cent who expected similar progress in their home countries. Respondents were also more optimistic about improvements in living standards and infrastructure investment in the UAE.
Samira Jouri, a 35-year-old home maker who lives in Sharjah and has been in the UAE for more than seven years, said that the country offers her a sense of stability and security.
“Money is important and there is no doubt about it. But if money was the only reason, I could have explored other countries, too. What makes the UAE special is how safe and organised it is,” said Samira.
“I feel secure travelling alone, healthcare and public services are excellent, and there is a real sense of stability. The stability and security I have here helps my children grow in a peaceful environment, which is why I see myself staying for many more years,” she added.
The study found that two-thirds of respondents now trust the UAE’s leaders more than their governments back home. Among those who have lived in the UAE for more than seven years, that figure rose to three-quarters.
The UAE Expat Monitor surveyed 708 expatriates aged 18 and above across all seven emirates in April and May 2026. The report noted that 57 per cent of respondents were Western Europeans, a weighting that researchers said was intentional and does not reflect the overall composition of the UAE’s expatriate population.
Source: Khaleej Times