DUBAI, October 28, 2025: The World Bank has recognized the United Arab Emirates as a leading model in the Middle East and North Africa for advancing human development and implementing inclusive policies that empower women and youth. The acknowledgement follows the release of the World Bank’s flagship report, “Embracing and Shaping Change: Human Development for a Middle East & North Africa Region in Transition,” published on Monday.
Fadia Saadah, Regional Director for Human Development for the MENA, Afghanistan and Pakistan region at the World Bank, said the UAE has made significant progress through a combination of legislative reforms, social investment, and flexible employment policies. In particular, the country’s 2022 labor law reforms were cited as a benchmark for facilitating diverse forms of employment, including part-time, temporary, remote, and shared work arrangements. These reforms have expanded participation opportunities for both women and youth in the workforce.
In 2021, the UAE introduced revised parental leave policies aimed at enhancing work-life balance and increasing women’s participation in economic activity. The World Bank noted that the country’s parallel investment in early childhood development and affordable childcare has contributed to enabling women to pursue professional advancement without sacrificing family responsibilities.
The World Bank report also highlighted the UAE’s broader talent attraction and retention framework, including the introduction of specialized visa categories. These include the Golden Visa and Green Visa programs designed for skilled professionals, investors, and freelancers, as well as job seeker and remote work visas. These options offer flexibility for labor mobility while aligning with the country’s push for a knowledge-based and diversified economy.
Parental leave and childcare investments drive equality
Labor protection initiatives were also emphasized in the report, particularly the implementation of unemployment insurance schemes, wage protection systems, and regulations governing fair recruitment practices. The World Bank stated that these policies support a more inclusive and secure labor market, while encouraging sustainable human capital development.
According to the report, while human capital in the MENA region has improved in recent years, disparities remain, and many countries are still facing structural challenges. The report identified three major forces shaping the region’s development landscape: demographic change due to ageing populations, accelerating climate-related impacts, and rapid technological transformation.
In her remarks, Saadah noted that countries within the Gulf Cooperation Council may need to focus more on addressing ageing and digitalization. Middle-income economies in the region, she said, should prioritize effective fiscal management, while lower-income and fragile states would benefit from policies that safeguard basic human capital and institutional integrity.
MENA countries urged to adopt UAE development model
The UAE’s performance in women’s empowerment has also been reflected in its international rankings. According to the World Bank’s latest Women, Business and the Law index, the UAE scored 82.5 out of 100 on legal gender equality indicators in 2023, surpassing the MENA regional average of 53.2. The country has enacted multiple legal reforms over the past five years to improve women’s rights in employment, entrepreneurship, and parental support.
The recognition from the World Bank follows a series of national strategies launched by the UAE government to foster inclusive growth and build long-term economic resilience. These include the “Projects of the 50” initiative and the National Strategy for Wellbeing 2031, which aim to position the country as a global center for talent, innovation, and sustainable development.
The report urges regional governments to adopt “future-fit” human development policies to meet current and emerging challenges. The World Bank stressed that advancing inclusive labor policies, strengthening educational systems, and investing in social protection will be essential to building equitable and resilient economies across the region. – By Content Syndication Services.