United Arab Emirates
Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer tax-free income, top infrastructure and international communities.
Important Notice: No Individual Advice
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal, tax, or financial advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal decisions.
Key Metrics
Cost of Living
Cost Breakdown
Quality of Life
Climate Change & Future Outlook
Climate risks in United Arab Emirates
UAE: Desert paradox with EXCELLENT adaptive capacity (ND-GAIN #27 readiness!), but fundamental physical limit: WET-BULB TEMPERATURE BEYOND HUMAN SURVIVAL by 2070! Study warns: Gulf uninhabitable. Dubai, Abu Dhabi already 50°C+ summers. Outdoor work ban 12:30-15:00. 100% DESALINATION-dependent (NO natural water!). $160B renewable energy investment by 2050. Oil wealth enables massive adaptation: AC everywhere, artificial cooling, indoor lifestyle. BUT: Physics unavoidable - above 35°C wet-bulb = lethal. Expat nation (89% population!), no long-term sustainability without radical cooling revolution.
Climate Scenarios
Switch between IPCC SSP pathways
SSP2-4.5
Current policy trajectory – ~2.7°C warming by 2100, moderate mitigation.
Values are approximations relative to our SSP2-4.5 baseline. They illustrate directional change, not exact national projections.
Overall Climate Risk
Projected risk index (0 = low risk, 100 = extreme risk)
Risk Categories
Personal climate risk assessment
Tune the analysis to your health profile and comfort level.
Age group
Sensitivity
Risk tolerance
Personalized risk index
Current level: Extreme
Priority risks
Water & Drought
Base 98 → Personal 98
Heat Stress
Base 97 → Personal 97
What to prioritize
- •Check long-term water security and avoid regions with frequent restrictions.
- •Prioritise shaded neighborhoods, AC-ready apartments, and early-morning routines.
- •Budget for higher insurance/utilities and diversify income streams against climate shocks.
Adaptation Measures
- •$160B renewable energy investment 2050: 50% solar, nuclear (Barakah)
- •Energy Strategy 2050: Diversification away from oil, but paradox AC consumption rising
- •Outdoor work ban 12:30-15:00 (June-September): Government mandate for years
- •Desalination expansion: New plants, but brine problem Persian Gulf
- •Masdar City (Abu Dhabi): Experimental sustainable city, but limited scale
- •Indoor lifestyle essential: AC everywhere, malls, metro air-conditioned
- •May-September outdoor only early morning/late evening
- •Hydration CRITICAL: 4-5L water/day minimum
- •AC backup generator recommended: Power outage = life-threatening
- •Long-term residence questionable: Expat-exit when wet-bulb unbearable
Climate Resilience
ND-GAIN #27 readiness (EXCELLENT!), #115 vulnerability (moderate). UAE has BEST adaptive capacity Gulf region: Oil wealth, $160B renewable investment, technological innovation. BUT: Fundamental physical limit = WET-BULB TEMPERATURE >35°C by 2070 (MIT study). Physics unavoidable: Above 35°C wet-bulb = human survival impossible even with AC (outdoor). 89% expat population = transient, no long-term commitment when uninhabitable. Desert = no natural resilience. 100% desalination = single point of failure. Circular energy-water dependency dangerous. Despite excellent readiness: Long-term outlook 2070+ critical. Indoor lifestyle functions while power grid holds, but summer outdoor uninhabitable.
Tips
- 💡AVOID May-September if possible! 50°C+ = dangerous despite AC
- 💡Indoor lifestyle essential: Malls, metro, hotels all air-conditioned
- 💡Long-term residence questionable: Wet-bulb 2070 = uninhabitable outdoor
- 💡AC failure = life-threatening! Backup generator recommended.
- 💡Expat nation (89%!): No long-term roots, keep exit option
- 💡Winter (November-April) 'pleasant' 20-30°C, but year not sustainable
Pros
- •ND-GAIN #27 readiness = BEST adaptive capacity Gulf
- •$160B renewable energy investment: 50% solar by 2050
- •Oil wealth enables massive adaptation (AC everywhere!)
- •Technological innovation: Desalination, solar, nuclear (Barakah)
- •Winter (November-April) pleasant: 20-30°C
- •Economy diversification: Non-oil sectors growing
Cons
- •WET-BULB >35°C BY 2070 = HUMAN SURVIVAL LIMIT (MIT study!)
- •100% desalination = single point of failure, NO natural water
- •50°C+ summers ALREADY NOW: Outdoor work ban 12:30-15:00
- •89% expat population = transient, no long-term commitment
- •Circular dependency: Water→Energy→Cooling→Water
- •Coastal mega-projects ($trillions!) endangered by sea level rise
- •Tourism May-September impossible: 40% revenue loss potential
Notes
UAE is the 'Oil Wealth Adaptation' paradox: ND-GAIN #27 readiness (EXCELLENT!), $160B renewable investment, technological cutting edge (solar, nuclear Barakah, desalination innovation), BUT fundamental physical limit unavoidable: WET-BULB TEMPERATURE >35°C by 2070 = HUMAN SURVIVAL LIMIT (MIT study!). Physics cannot be engineered away. Dubai, Abu Dhabi already 50°C+ summers (2023: 50.3°C), outdoor work banned 12:30-15:00 government mandate. 100% DESALINATION-dependent (NO natural water!), groundwater 90% undrinkable. Circular dependency critical: Water needs energy (40% electricity just desalination!), energy needs cooling, cooling needs water. AC-dependence absolute: Indoor lifestyle functions while power grid holds, but summer outdoor uninhabitable already now. 89% expat population = transient, no long-term commitment. Coastal mega-projects ($trillions: Palm Jumeirah, Dubai Marina, Burj Khalifa area) sea level rise endangered. Persian Gulf brine waste from desalination damaging biodiversity. Long-term outlook 2070+: Gulf uninhabitable (study), but UAE technologically best positioned for radical cooling revolution if physics allows. Despite excellent readiness: Adaptation window 2070 = absolute limit without breakthrough cooling tech. Winter (November-April) 'pleasant' 20-30°C shows: Half-year destination works, year-round questionable.
Data sources
Scientific Disclaimer
Climate projections are based on models with inherent uncertainties. Actual outcomes may differ. We present mainstream scientific consensus (IPCC) but acknowledge uncertainty ranges. This is not financial advice. Consult climate scientists and experts for specific decisions.
Safety & Security
Safety & Crime in United Arab Emirates
Safety Indicators
Comparison with DACH Region
For comparison: Germany (CPI: 78), Austria (CPI: 71), Switzerland (CPI: 82)
Notes
Standard precautions recommended in urban areas.
Climate
Data Sources & Updates
Data Sources
- World Bank World Development Indicators(CC BY 4.0)
- NOAA Climate Data(Public Domain)
- WHO Global Health Observatory(CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)
- World Bank World Development Indicators(CC BY 4.0)
- Numbeo(User-Generated Data)
- Numbeo Quality of Life Index(CC BY 4.0)