UAE Among Top Three Markets for Quality of Life Satisfaction, HSBC Research Finds
HSBC research finds 83% of affluent UAE investors satisfied with their quality of life, above the survey average of 75%. Explore the findings and their scope.
The UAE is among the top three of ten markets surveyed for quality-of-life satisfaction, according to HSBC research conducted by Ipsos. In the UAE sample, 83% of affluent and high-net-worth investors reported being satisfied, compared with 75% across the participating markets.
The findings were reported by Emirates News Agency (WAM) on 22 October 2026, as HSBC hosted its first UAE Wealth Investment Summit in Dubai. They offer a view of how the surveyed investors assess their lives and financial plans, rather than a measure of every resident’s experience.
What the HSBC Research Found
The study covered 9,993 affluent and high-net-worth investors across ten markets, including 703 respondents in the UAE. Alongside quality-of-life satisfaction, its UAE findings included:
- 87% expressed confidence in meeting their short-term financial goals, and 81% in their long-term goals.
- 21% were launching, acquiring or investing in a business venture, against 17% across the wider survey.
- 58% expected to leave a significant financial legacy to heirs or other causes.
Who the Survey Represents
HSBC’s published methodology identifies online research conducted by Ipsos from 6 January to 6 February 2026. Respondents were aged 21 to 69, with minimum investable assets of USD 100,000 for affluent investors and USD 2 million for high-net-worth investors.
That scope matters: the results describe a defined investor sample. They should not be read as an October survey of all UAE households or a forecast of property prices.
A Separate View from Expatriate Residents
The InterNations 2026 Quality of Life Index separately placed the UAE third among 31 qualifying countries. Among its UAE expatriate respondents, 94% rated personal safety positively and 84% agreed that medical care was readily available.
InterNations collected responses between 1 February and 31 March 2026. It cautions that the findings only partially reflect the impact of the US–Iran war during that period. This is a different survey population and methodology from HSBC’s; the two sets of percentages should not be combined or treated as a real-time assessment of conditions.
What Quality of Life Means When Choosing a Dubai Home
For a homebuyer, national survey findings provide context, but daily life is shaped by a particular address. Journeys to work, access to schools and healthcare, usable outdoor space and the practical fit of a home deserve closer inspection than a headline ranking alone can provide.
Our first-time buyer’s guide to Dubai off-plan luxury property explains the wider purchase checks. The Prestige One destination guides can help readers compare communities, while our apartment running-cost guide covers expenses that remain relevant alongside lifestyle preferences.
Different Residential Settings Within Dubai
FAUCHON Résidences in Jumeirah Garden City
FAUCHON Résidences by Prestige One brings Parisian-inspired design to a limited collection of 48 residences in Jumeirah Garden City. Its branded interiors, social spaces and boutique amenities offer one example of how a development can organise the residential experience around a distinctive lifestyle.
Hilton Residences in Dubai Maritime City
Hilton Residences Dubai Maritime City combines a waterfront setting with hospitality-led owner services and more than 42 lifestyle amenities. Buyers should compare the actual location, specification and services with their own needs, using the official project documents to check the relevant details.
Keep Survey Findings and Property Decisions Separate
The HSBC results show strong satisfaction and financial confidence within the surveyed UAE investor group. They do not establish higher returns for an individual property, and neither survey is an endorsement of Prestige One or any specific development. A residential decision still requires project-specific checks and a realistic household budget.
Published 23 October 2026. The HSBC UAE findings were reported on 22 October; survey fieldwork dates are identified above. Featured image: AI-generated editorial illustration of a Dubai-inspired waterfront promenade, not a photograph of an HSBC event or an actual Prestige One development.
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