UAE ranked among world's most resilient nations, study finds

The UAE has been ranked among the world's most resilient nations, according to a new global study by Zurich Insurance Group.

In partnership with Oxford Research and Development Partners, the UAE has scored 4.25 on the Personal Resilience Index, above the 4.11 global average, with key attributes including confidence, belonging and leadership.

The UAE is currently outperforming the global average across all five drivers of resilience: psychological, physical, social, financial and digital, with physical and social emerging as its strongest areas.

The study, informed by over 130 academic papers, covered more than 11,000 respondents across 16 markets, including 973 in the UAE. 

Respondents were aged between 18 to 69 (an average age of 38) and the sample was close to gender-balanced at 49 per cent women and 51 per cent men.

Results of the study showed that 76 per cent of UAE residents say government wellbeing initiatives positively impact their mental health, while 79 per cent report a strong sense of belonging, one of the highest levels recorded.

Elsewhere, 70 per cent believe the next generation is developing the resilience skills it needs for the future.

Financial preparedness has emerged from the study as the country's clearest opportunity to strengthen resilience further, with 16 per cent of UAE residents report they do not have a savings buffer.

Middle and higher income workers place greater value on flexible working (41.3 per cent), while lower income workers prioritise job stability and clarity (31.6 per cent). 

Other markets involved in the study included Australia, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UAE, UK and US.