Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council, H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, today reviewed the results of the fourth Dubai Social Survey conducted by Dubai's Community Development Authority, CDA, in collaboration with Dubai Statistics Centre, DSC.

The survey, which sampled 15,165 individuals, including 9,709 Emiratis, measures current levels of customer satisfaction in social services, and KPIs related to the social sector in Dubai Plan 2021, in addition to studying key social trends.

H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed said, "The results of the survey are significant. Perhaps the most important message coming from the results is that Dubai residents feel safe and secure. This is not new to the UAE as the spirit of tolerance and the rule of law have created a civilised, happy and stable community."

Sheikh Hamdan stressed that Dubai Government is committed to ensuring the highest quality of life for Dubai’s residents and utilising all resources to enhance Dubai’s economic and social competitiveness. He explained, "Social security is one of the government’s top priorities and community welfare and happiness are our main objectives."

The survey revealed that family cohesion, observance of laws and regulations and respect for traditions, are social values that are most important to Emiratis. The Dubai Crown Prince said that moral principles are deeply rooted in the minds of Emiratis. "These values have played a substantial role in shaping the nation’s history, and will continue to play an important role in the future," he added.

Sheikh Hamdan went on to say that the history of the emirate and the wisdom of its leaders have bridged cultural gaps in Dubai, which is home to people of over 200 nationalities, and brought all cultures together to create a global model for coexistence and tolerance.

He added that the Dubai Social Survey is a reliable resource that supports planning and decision-making, praising the efforts of the teams that worked to produce accurate, comprehensive and objective results.

The Director-General of CDA, Ahmad Julfar, said that social surveys and field studies help define the requirements for services aimed at meeting the needs of different segments of the community. He praised the efforts and role of the DSC and their professional contributions, and the implementation of research best practices to ensure the quality and accuracy of the survey’s outcomes.

Julfar said, "Dubai Social Survey provides data on the social sector’s main indicators as part of Dubai Plan 2021. The survey highlights development in social cohesiveness, inclusion of people with special needs and level of satisfaction in cultural diversity."

The results of the survey show an increase in people’s happiness with this indicator receiving a score of 8.2 out of 10. The survey also shows an increase in the feeling of safety and security among Dubai’s residents. Among the respondents, 98% of citizens and residents feel safe on the streets compared to 91% in Hong Kong and Singapore as recorded in the Gallup Global Law and Order 2015 report. In the survey, 95% of non-Emirati respondents said they have freedom of religious expression while 93% of non-Emirati respondents said human rights are upheld in Dubai.

According to the survey, 94% of respondents said that Dubai Police treats everyone fairly, and 98% of all respondents said they have trust and confidence in Dubai Police. The elderly are the happiest segment, with the survey revealing a 99% satisfaction rate in services for them. There was also a 98% satisfaction in human rights services. Among other key results, 62% of Emirati individuals with special needs said they are completely independent and self-reliant.