UAE’s Ras Al Khaimah tops global expat city ranking for 2024

The emirate secured the top position among 53 cities globally in the Expat Essentials Index

Ras Al Khaimah, the northernmost emirate of the United Arab Emirates, has been ranked as the world’s leading city for expatriates to start a new life abroad, according to InterNations’s 2024 Expat Insider report released on Tuesday.

The emirate secured the top position among 53 cities globally in the Expat Essentials Index, which evaluates key factors including housing affordability, digital infrastructure, administrative processes, and language accessibility.

The annual survey, conducted by InterNations, which represents more than 5.4 million expatriates across 420 cities and 166 countries, revealed that 72 percent of respondents found it easy to secure housing in Ras Al Khaimah, compared to a global average of 45 percent.

The emirate particularly excelled in addressing pre-relocation concerns, with 69 percent of expatriates reporting no significant issues with the housing market, local bureaucracy, or language barriers, substantially outperforming the global figure of 29 percent.

Beyond the overall top ranking, Ras Al Khaimah achieved second place in the Working Abroad category and fifth position for Ease of Settling In, underlining its growing appeal as an international destination for expatriate professionals.

“This achievement reflects our dedication to creating a safe, welcoming and thriving community that attracts individuals from all around the world,” said Heba Fatani, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Government Media Office (RAKGMO).

The emirate, home to 400,000 residents as of 2023, has developed a diverse economy where no single sector accounts for more than 30 percent of its GDP. It maintains an ‘A’ range credit rating from both Fitch and Standard & Poor’s, which it has held for 15 years.

Ras Al Khaimah has been actively enhancing its appeal to international residents and businesses, recently launching “Heart of RAK,” a digital platform showcasing life in the emirate. The destination is notable for its 64-kilometre coastline, desert landscapes, and Jebel Jais, the UAE’s highest mountain, which features the world’s longest zipline at nearly 3 kilometres.