Compare countries · Singapore vs United Arab Emirates
Singapore vs United Arab Emirates
Singapore(Asia)·
United Arab Emirates(Asia)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Singapore leads on 6, United Arab Emirates on 4, 3 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Singapore
87.7
Worse than 97% of countries
United Arab Emirates
55.2
Worse than 78% of countries
United Arab Emirates: 37% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Singapore
73.1
Worse than 99% of countries
United Arab Emirates
39.6
Worse than 94% of countries
United Arab Emirates: 46% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Singapore
1.36
Better than 94% of countries
United Arab Emirates
1.97
Around the global middle
Singapore: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.97).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Singapore
77.5
Better than 94% of countries
United Arab Emirates
86.0
Better than 99% of countries
United Arab Emirates: higher perceived safety (86.0 vs 77.5).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Singapore
0.949
Better than 96% of countries
United Arab Emirates
0.937
Better than 92% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025 / 2024
Singapore
$163,354
Better than 99% of countries
United Arab Emirates
$79,344
Better than 93% of countries
Singapore: 106% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Singapore
83.3 yrs
Better than 93% of countries
United Arab Emirates
83.1 yrs
Better than 91% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Singapore
71.9
Better than 74% of countries
United Arab Emirates
70.8
Better than 71% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Singapore
421 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
United Arab Emirates
398 Mbps
Better than 99% of countries
Singapore: 6% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Singapore
45/100
Worse than 69% of countries
United Arab Emirates
31/100
Worse than 87% of countries
Singapore: freer press (45 vs 31 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Singapore
6.58
Better than 76% of countries
United Arab Emirates
6.82
Better than 86% of countries
United Arab Emirates: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.82 vs 6.58).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Singapore
700
Better than 94% of countries
United Arab Emirates
487
Worse than 63% of countries
Singapore: stronger English proficiency (700 vs 487).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Singapore
57.5
Worse than 91% of countries
United Arab Emirates
43.4
Worse than 94% of countries
Singapore: more pleasant climate rating (57.5 vs 43.4).
Deciding between Singapore and United Arab Emirates for real?
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full United Arab Emirates profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.