The United Arab Emirates has been placed among the world’s safest countries in the International SOS Risk Map 2026.
The country received an “insignificant” security risk rating, the lowest level used on the global map.
It also earned a “low” medical risk rating due to the quality and availability of healthcare across the country.
UAE enters the lowest security risk group
The International SOS Risk Map 2026 evaluates countries using five security levels: insignificant, low, medium, high, and extreme.
Security ratings consider the possible impact of crime, political violence, terrorism, armed conflict, and social unrest on workers and travellers.
The UAE’s place in the lowest category supports its reputation as a secure home for residents, including overseas Filipino workers and their families.
However, the map is not an ordered list that names one country as the world’s safest.
Instead, it groups countries according to their level of security and medical risk.
The ratings shown for 2026 were assessed in November 2025.
Healthcare receives a low-risk rating
The UAE was also classified as a low medical risk country.
International SOS calculates medical ratings using more than 20 data points and information from its medical professionals worldwide.
Factors may include access to treatment, the standard of medical facilities, infectious diseases, emergency services, and the ability of local systems to handle health concerns.
A low rating does not mean that residents and visitors will face no medical problems.
People should still maintain valid health insurance, know their nearest clinic or hospital, and follow official health alerts.
AI could help verify fast-moving information
A separate International SOS Pulse Check found that nearly 60% of surveyed risk professionals see AI’s greatest value in checking information across different sources.
AI tools can help organisations review large amounts of data and identify possible threats more quickly.
However, International SOS said human judgment must remain part of the process, especially when decisions affect people’s health and safety.
Deepfakes bring a different kind of danger
More than four in ten respondents said their organisations had either been affected by false or unverified health and security information or could not determine its impact.
The report also warned about deepfakes that may copy the face or voice of real health professionals to spread false advice.
UAE residents can report suspected online offences through the channels listed on the government’s cyber safety and digital security page.
