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7 Gulf cities rank among world’s safest in 2026
Abu Dhabi retains global top spot for 10th consecutive year
Seven GCC cities have been named among the 10 safest in the world, according to Numbeo’s 2025 Safety Index, reaffirming the region’s leadership in stability and visitor security.
Topping the list once again, Abu Dhabi claimed the number one spot worldwide for safety when walking alone both during the day and at night, marking an impressive tenth consecutive year. The UAE capital led 400 cities across 150 countries with a safety index score of 88.9, reflecting exceptionally low crime rates and high public confidence.
Behind Abu Dhabi’s sustained success lies a combination of strategic policing, advanced technology and strong community engagement. Major General Ahmed Saif bin Zaitoon Al Muhairi, Commander‑in‑Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, credits the city’s around‑the‑clock vigilance and use of AI‑driven predictive analytics as instrumental in maintaining public safety.
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The broader Gulf region also performed strongly. Doha, along with UAE emirates Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah and Dubai, joined Muscat in Oman to complete the top 10. Doha stood out for its high scores on night‑time safety, while Dubai was commended for maintaining low crime levels amid significant visitor volumes.
2026 Safety Index by City (Numbeo)
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – 88.9
- Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates – 85.3
- Doha, Qatar – 84.5
- Sharjah, United Arab Emirates – 84.5
- Ajman, United Arab Emirates – 84.4
- Dubai, United Arab Emirates – 83.9
- Taipei, Taiwan – 83.3
- Muscat, Oman – 81.3
- Tampere, Finland – 79.6
- Trondheim, Norway – 79.0
The results highlight the GCC’s proactive emphasis on safety, a key factor driving the region’s growing appeal among international travellers.
Abu Dhabi’s tourism boom
Once considered a quieter counterpart to Dubai, Abu Dhabi is now emerging as a global tourism powerhouse. In December, the UAE capital was named the world’s most sought‑after Christmas destination for UK travellers, with search interest rising 91% in the final quarter of 2025, according to Travelbag. Weeks later, it ranked as the most in‑demand luxury destination for US travellers in 2026, driven by a 421% year‑on‑year surge in Google searches, according to Travel Guard.
This growing interest is mirrored in visitor numbers. Cultural landmarks across the emirate welcomed more than four million guests in the first half of 2025 – up 47% year on year – with Louvre Abu Dhabi alone attracting 780,000 visitors. Hotel performance followed suit, recording 2.9 million guests, 20% revenue growth and 80% occupancy. Abu Dhabi Airports also reported 15.8 million passengers, marking a 13.1% increase.
With the unveiling of the Zayed National Museum and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Guggenheim Abu Dhabi set to open in 2026, the emirate continues to strengthen its position as the region’s cultural capital as it aims to attract 39.3 million visitors and contribute AED 90 billion to GDP by the end of the decade.
For more information, visit numbeo.com/crime/rankings
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