A bird’s eye view of Abu Dhabi. ARCHIVE

Abu Dhabi has once again secured its title as the world’s safest city, topping Numbeo’s 2025 global rankings for the ninth year in a row. Since 2017, the UAE capital has consistently led the list. Ajman claimed the second spot globally, while Dubai ranked third and Sharjah fifth, placing four UAE cities in the world’s top 10 safest urban areas. Numbeo, a crowd-sourced database founded by former Google engineer Mladen Adamović, evaluates global cities on various factors, including crime rates and quality of life. A separate study by UK-based travel specialist Travelbag ranked Abu Dhabi as the safest city for walking alone at night, with a score of 87 out of 100. “The city’s modern infrastructure, well-lit streets, and low crime rates provide a secure environment for both residents and visitors,” the report noted, highlighting landmarks such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, recently named the best landmark in the Middle East. According to official data, 93.6 percent of Abu Dhabi residents say they feel safe walking alone at night. The emirate’s Happiness Indicator also improved to 7.74 out of 10. Globally, Taipei ranked second for nighttime safety, while New York took the crown for the most scenic night views, and Muscat was named the world’s best city for stargazing. ICA/Expat Media
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