Gulf Cities Surge as Global Leaders in Liveability and Professional Appeal

By Piercamillo Falasca

Gulf cities have rapidly risen to prominence as some of the most liveable in the Middle East and Africa, showing marked improvements in healthcare and education, according to the 2024 Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit. This index ranks 173 cities globally across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

Impressively, 8 of the top 10 cities in the Middle East and Africa are from Gulf countries, reflecting the region’s increasing stability and global influence. Abu Dhabi (UAE) claimed the top regional spot, with Dubai (UAE) following closely in second place, both demonstrating significant progress in key liveability areas. Other high-ranking cities include Kuwait City (Kuwait), Doha (Qatar), and Manama (Bahrain), which placed third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

The Economist’s findings are corroborated by Numbeo’s ‘Crime and Safety Indexes,’ where Abu Dhabi was ranked as one of the safest cities worldwide, topping the Safety Index with a score of 88.2 and achieving the lowest score on the Crime Index at 11.8. Dubai also performed strongly, ranking 5th globally among the safest cities.

Additionally, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have become top destinations for professionals seeking to relocate. A report by Boston Consulting Group placed these cities third and fourth globally in popularity among professionals, making them the only Middle Eastern cities in the top 10. This ranking is based on a survey of 150,000 people across 188 countries, conducted between October and December. London and Amsterdam secured the first and second spots, while New York, Berlin, Singapore, Barcelona, Tokyo, and Sydney completed the top 10.

A LinkedIn survey from January further highlights the appeal of the Gulf region, revealing that 82% of professionals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia prefer to work in the GCC rather than relocate to Europe or the US.

The Boston Consulting Group report estimates that up to 800 million professionals globally may be actively seeking jobs abroad, driven primarily by professional and financial considerations. Other important factors include the quality of benefits and services in the destination city, such as social systems, healthcare, political stability, and climate. As the report notes, ‘People primarily choose a destination based on the quality of job opportunities there, followed by quality of life and income-related factors.’

Bahrain’s Remarkable Performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics

By Daniela Palumbo

The 2024 Paris Olympics will be remembered as an important sporting milestone for Bahrain as it made a resounding impact in several events, making its presence on the global stage acutely felt. Bahraini athletes brought home a commendable number of medals. Both Winfred Yavi and Akhmed Tazhudinov won gold at the women’s 3000m steeplechase and men’s -97 wrestling respectively. Salwa Eid Naser, won silver in the women’s 400 meters while Gor Minasyan took bronze in men’s +102 weightlifting.

The Paris 2024 Olympics were a reminder of Bahrain’s commitment to sports and health. National investments in training facilities, training and athlete development has begun to see dividends with a new generation of athletes ready to join the international greats. The 2024 Olympics set a new standard for Bahraini sport and there is no doubt that the country will continue to push for excellence among its athletes, setting its eyes firmly on future international sporting competitions in the region and internationally.

Responding to Dubai’s Extreme Summer Sweat

By Daniela Palumbo

Dubai is known for extreme summer temperatures that often exceed 40° (Celsius). In response, the city launched a pilot programme to reduce the working hours of some civil servants during the hottest months. The initiative involves the adoption of a four-day working week, with seven-hour workdays, in response to the physical challenges imposed by the severe weather and the growing awareness of the importance of work-life balance and productivity. Driving the motivation for this new policy are the health and safety of workers, which are prioritised, as prolonged exposure to high temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The initiative is based on studies showing that productivity is not necessarily proportional to the number of hours worked, in fact shorter working days could benefit greater concentration and efficiency, especially when workers face less fatigue due to environmental stressors. This approach could generate a positive environmental impact by reducing the energy consumption of office buildings and decreasing carbon emissions through reduced travel.

However, the initiative presents several challenges such as ensuring the continuity of government services with reduced working hours will require careful planning. Also, there may be temporary disruptions or additional costs associated with implementing the new schedule, despite the potential long-term benefits. Moreover, the cultural diversity of Dubai’s workforce poses additional challenges, as the adoption of a four-day working week may require an adjustment of expectations regarding working hours and work management arrangements.

If the Dubai programme is successful, it could become a role model for other regions with extreme weather conditions. Its results could contribute to wider discussions on optimising working conditions in contexts where traditional working hours are unsustainable due to environmental factors.

(28/08/2024)