Dubai:The Community Development Authority in Dubai, in partnership with the Dubai Statistics Center, has revealed the results of the emirate's 6th Dubai Social Survey. Based on the report, more than 95 per cent of the UAE nationals and residents have expressed strong preference for Dubai as a place to live in. The results also show that the Emirate exceeded all Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries in terms of the average of population satisfaction with their lives, registering 8.4 on a 0-to-10 rating scale as compared to Finland, which posted a 7.6; Switzerland, which posted a 7.5 and the Netherlands, which posted a 7.4. 

The survey also highlights a 25 per cent increase in the Emirate's social cohesion--increasing from 0.69 in 2011 to 0.86 in 2019 across the total population on a 0-to-1 scale. The survey shows that 97 per cent of the population respects the rest of the Emirate’s population of all backgrounds, and that 94 percent of them agree to neighbor residents from different groups, whether in terms of religion, nationality, language, People of Determination, or different (socio-economic) classes. In addition, 86 per cent affirmed their agreement to establish and maintain social relations with them. 

The survey also shows that 91 per cent of Dubai residents are ready to establish and maintain social relations with people of determination, 88 per cent of them with people who do not speak their language and people from different nationalities, and people other than their social class, while 87 per cent with people from other religions.

The report also shows a 63 per cent increase in the percentage of Emirati volunteers between 2013 and 2019--confirming the high awareness of individuals and institutions of their roles in enhancing the community's services and strengthening of community cohesion. 

H.E. Ahmed Abdul Karim Julfar, Director General, CDA, Dubai, pointed out that the results of the 6th Dubai Social Survey throws the spotlight on the great amount of development happening in the Emirate, especially in terms of social cohesion; the fusion among different groups of society and the integration of the most vulnerable groups such as People of Determination, elderly, children deprived of family care, juvenile delinquents and juveniles at risk of delinquency among others. The Director General explained that the large increase in the number of volunteers indicates an increased awareness among community members of their role and responsibilities towards their community. He added that the overall improvement of the social and the community indicators pushes towards enhancing the satisfaction of individuals and families with their lives.

He said, "The surrounding environment plays an important role in providing psychological support for the individual. Social solidarity and harmony among community members undoubtedly contributes to making Dubai a preferred place to live in. This comes in addition to all other factors such as the well-being of community members, the development of services, the high feeling of protection and safety, etc."

"The various indicators of the Dubai Social Survey are the foundation for developing and evaluating social policies and strategies as well as developing programs and services for partners and stakeholders. Social and family cohesion, which are among the indicators of the UAE's National Agenda, are of the most prominent criteria that must be relied upon in setting social development plans and programs," Julfar added. 

In terms of family cohesion, the 6th Dubai) Social Survey shows that Emirati nuclear families prefer direct dialogue to communicate among their members, with an average of 9.1 on a 0-to-10 scale. Communication via phone calls come second as a preferred method of communication, with an average of 7.5 on the same scale. As for extended Emirati families, the survey revealed that the preferred method of communication among their members are visits and phone calls, with an average of 6.6 for each on a 0-to-10 scale.

The survey also shows that although Emiratis in Dubai prefer having between 4 and 5 children, yet from their point of view there are several factors that lead to a reduction in childbearing. The cost of living is considered the most important reason for decreasing childbirth by an average of 7.7 per cent, followed by school fees with an average of 7 per cent, then small housing, with an average of 6 on a 0-to-10 scale.

In terms of police performance, the survey highlights that 98 percent of Dubai residents trust in the police stations near them, a percentage that exceeds the confidence of the population in police stations in Western Europe, which was pegged at 84 per cent, Southeast Asia 83 per cent, and America and Canada 79 per cent; according to the Global Law and Order Report issued by Gallup in 2019.

The percentage of Emiratis who feel safe when roaming alone at night in Dubai’s residential areas increased from 89.4 per cent to 91.9 per cent, and among non-Emiratis from 96.3 per cent to 97.7 per cent between 2015 and 2019. The percentage of those who feel protected and safe from crime in Dubai increased among non-Emiratis from 96.7 per cent to 99 per cent, and among Emiratis from 86 per cent to 97.4 per cent between 2011 and 2019.

H.E. Arif Al Muhairi, Executive Director of the Dubai Statistics Center, said, "The Dubai Statistics Center maintains strong partnership ties with CDA and we are proud to be working in close cooperation with them for this year's social survey--one of the most prominent surveys that have been carried out periodically and regularly for nearly a decade now. Our strategic alliance with CDA has allowed the achievement of great development in the volume and quality of social related statistics, which is considered one of the most important informational inputs to strategies, policies, plans, and programs of social development. We are keen to work according to the latest scientific methodologies and to apply the latest statistical techniques in our various projects and programs. This includes Dubai Social Survey, to which we pay a great attention as we believe in the importance of its outputs and the keenness of the government in general and CDA, in particular, to invest in its outputs in the social development processes and provide the best social services to citizens and residents alike."