The UAE has been ranked high on the expat's preference list for safety and security, with 86 per cent of expats stating they are proud to call the UAE their home, a new survey has revealed.

According to the Xpress Money survey, 38 per cent of expats residing in the UAE consider the country to be their home because they feel safe and have a sense of security here. Close to 27 per cent of expats are grateful for the good career opportunities and the cultural diversity the country has to offer while 25 per cent of the expats feel that the UAE has given them a better quality of life.
 
Of the surveyed total, 70 per cent of the expats moved to the country for a better job opportunity while 20 per cent moved because their spouse or family was here. Of this 20 per cent, 16 per cent are women who feel that UAE has given them a better quality of life and they feel safe and secure in the country. Another interesting finding of the survey is that every second generation expat who is born and raised in the UAE considers this country their home.
 
“We conducted this survey to comprehend the social cohesion of the UAE’s multi-cultural society, and understand what makes the country a preferred destination for expats. The UAE is home to around 7.8 million expatriates from the world over. The nation’s vibrant economy, dynamism, and the vision of its leaders has created a safe, welcoming and enriching lifestyle for the country’s residents,” said Xpress Money’s vice president of Global Marketing, Ashwin Gedam.

Around 47 per cent of the surveyed expats believe that the UAE has helped them give their families back home a better life while 33 per cent owe the fulfillment of their dreams to this country. Another 18 per cent of expats credit the UAE for their successful careers across various industries. Moreover, expats who have lived in the country for less than five years as well as those who have lived for over 10 years, equally share the same sentiments of calling the UAE their home.

“We’re seeing that the security, economic vibrancy and quality of life the UAE provides is resulting in more people staying for longer, and becoming a part of the nation’s success story. This gives the UAE a competitive socio-economic edge because less transient populations are more likely to be productive members of society. The survey indicates the strength of the UAE’s founding values of tolerance and inclusivity, and shows how the country’s commitment to innovation and prosperity is helping attract global talent. The support of the government, and the country’s business-friendly environment, has also helped brands like Xpress Money grow and represent the country in international markets”, Gedam said.

The survey, sampled 311 respondents coming from different countries and backgrounds, who are largely employed with the private sector. - TradeArabia News Service