The UAE has been ranked the number one country with the best quality of life in the Middle East and North Africa region in the reputed Economist Intelligence Unit '2009 Quality of Life Index'.

The UAE ranking was based on the country’s impressive civic development and administration and high GDP growth, as well as family and healthcare services, life expectancy, and safety and security.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 'Quality of Life' index relates subjective life satisfaction surveys to objective determinants of the quality of life across 160 countries.

Globally, the 'Quality of Life' Index ranked the UAE 15th in the world out of 160 countries evaluated.

The ranking reflects the prosperity the UAE has witnessed over the past years and the results of ongoing strategic initiatives introduced by the UAE government across all sectors including the economy, security, health and education.

Commenting on the index results, Abdullah Nasser Lootah, secretary general of Emirates Competitiveness Council, said, 'While the results are gratifying, our goal is to continue to improve the quality of life of our citizens.'

'This is due to determination and vision of our leadership, represented by UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum to keep citizens at the heart of the nation’s development, and to work towards improving the quality of life of every individual living in the UAE.”

“We, the Emirates Competitiveness Council, are working with our partners in federal and local government, and in the private sector to surmount every challenge we face as a nation,' Lootah noted.

'This partnership is the way forward to ensure that quality of life in our country keeps improving. Being ranked number 1 in the Middle East and North Africa by the Economist Intelligence Unit is an achievement we are proud of but our goal is to be on a par with the top countries in the world.” he added.

In addition to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Quality of Life Index, the UAE government development plans have also significantly improved the UAE’s rankings in several international reports and indexes across different areas such as competitiveness, economic and international investment, tourism and security amongst others.

This reflects a steady upward movement in the UAE’s competitiveness and quality of life, he added.-TradeArabia News Service