The National · 22 Oct, 16:41 · Finance briefing

UAE ranks third globally for quality of life satisfaction among the affluent

Recent data indicates the United Arab Emirates has secured the third position globally for quality of life satisfaction among affluent individuals.

What it means for you ↓ Courses for this story

28%average pay gap between certified and uncertified finance staff

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83%of finance leaders rank upskilling a top-3 priority

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Recent data indicates the United Arab Emirates has secured the third position globally for quality of life satisfaction among affluent individuals. This ranking highlights the region’s growing appeal as a premium destination for high-net-worth professionals and expatriates seeking exceptional living standards. The report underscores the UAE’s success in combining economic opportunity with superior lifestyle infrastructure, positioning it as a key hub for international talent. For career-focused individuals, this metric signals a robust environment for professional growth, supported by favourable tax policies and world-class amenities, making it an increasingly attractive location for long-term career planning and relocation.

Employer demand for Finance and Accounting skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This ranking signals a surge in demand for roles catering to high-net-worth individuals and luxury service sectors. You should prioritise skills in wealth management, premium hospitality, and bespoke client relations. Professionals in finance, real estate, and lifestyle management will find expanded opportunities. To stay ahead, refine your expertise in cross-cultural communication and high-touch service delivery. Consider obtaining certifications in luxury brand management or private wealth advisory. Network with firms expanding their UAE footprint, as they will seek talent who understand affluent consumer behaviour. Proactively update your CV to highlight experience serving premium clients. This shift offers a clear pathway for career acceleration in a market that values excellence and personalised service above all else.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are Finance and Accounting, Tourism And Hospitality, Strategic Marketing and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

Enrol in these
to benefit.

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