Qatar has ranked first among Arab countries in the assessment index on quality of life of citizens, according to Kuwait-based think-tank CSRGulf.
This is Qatar’s second straight year to top the 20-list survey, while the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait completed the top three. Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia finished in the top ten.
According to the index, this year’s classification was based on over 15 indicators and sub-indicators.
The survey considered the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, measuring the security threats index provided by the Global Peace Index, climate threats, and pollution. Other indicators are human development, education, the efficiency of distance education, social integration, social progress, freedom, democracy, crime and anti-corruption efforts, and unemployment.
In a broader study, the Gulf countries ranked first in the Safest Arab Countries 2021-2022 survey. The stability in the Gulf is attributed to the political, institutional, and financial stability that ensures the Gulf’s continuous well-being in its educational, social, occupational, health, and security despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
“Despite indications of the possibility of an escalation between Iran and the United States, its repercussions on the Gulf states are likely to be limited,” the report said. It added that the Gulf and Iran are likely to maintain peace.
The survey noted that the Gulf countries recorded significant progress compared to other Arab countries. In the Gulf, indicators like prosperity, human development, social improvement, vaccination, unemployment, individual income, and fighting corruption were high. However, environmental challenges, pollution, and democratic values still pose a problem for the region.
According to the survey, most Gulf countries have obtained a stable future outlook due to the limited risks of internal political instability, in addition to the continued availability of initiatives to mobilise financial resources to cover any deficit this year, especially with the uncertainty about the future of oil prices.
