Introduction
The first pillar of We the UAE 2031, officially titled Forward Society, addresses the foundational social infrastructure upon which all other national ambitions depend. This pillar encompasses education reform, healthcare modernisation, community cohesion, cultural identity preservation, youth development, women’s empowerment, and quality of life improvements. The pillar reflects the leadership’s recognition that economic and geopolitical ambitions are sustainable only when anchored by a well-educated, healthy, and socially cohesive population.
The social development agenda builds upon earlier frameworks, most notably the National Agenda targets established under UAE Vision 2021 and the ongoing reforms advanced by the Ministry of Community Development, the Ministry of Education, and the Emirates Health Authority. Under We the UAE 2031, these efforts are consolidated into a unified framework with explicit KPIs, institutional accountability, and dedicated funding mechanisms.
Emirati Identity and Cultural Preservation
At the centre of the society pillar is the preservation and strengthening of Emirati national identity. The leadership has consistently emphasised that rapid modernisation must not erode the cultural foundations that define the federation. The vision calls for expanded investment in Arabic language education, the documentation and promotion of intangible cultural heritage, and the integration of traditional values into modern institutional frameworks.
The Ministry of Culture and Youth oversees several flagship programmes supporting this objective. The National Cultural Strategy, updated in 2023, allocates significant resources to cultural institutions including museums, heritage sites, and community cultural centres across all seven emirates. The Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism and the Dubai Culture Authority operate complementary programmes at the emirate level.
Heritage preservation efforts extend beyond physical sites. The Intangible Cultural Heritage programme focuses on traditional crafts, falconry, pearl diving heritage, Al-Ayyala dance, and other practices recognised by UNESCO. The National Reading Strategy, launched in 2016 and renewed under We the UAE 2031, establishes annual reading targets and supports the expansion of public library infrastructure.
Education Reform
Education reform constitutes one of the most resource-intensive components of the society pillar. The vision targets a top-10 ranking on global education quality indices by 2031, up from a position in the low twenties at the time of announcement. Achieving this target requires fundamental reforms across the entire education continuum, from early childhood through tertiary and vocational education.
The Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE), formed in 2021, serves as the institutional vehicle for K-12 reform. The ESE has introduced updated curricula emphasising STEM disciplines, critical thinking, and digital literacy. Arabic language instruction has been strengthened alongside English-medium science and mathematics programmes. Teacher recruitment and professional development have been overhauled, with competitive salary packages and structured career progression pathways designed to attract high-calibre educators.
| Education KPI | Current Baseline | 2031 Target |
|---|---|---|
| Global Education Quality Ranking | Top 20 | Top 10 |
| STEM Graduates (annual) | 12,400 | 25,000 |
| Early Childhood Enrolment (3-5 years) | 78% | 95% |
| Higher Education Attainment (Emiratis 25-34) | 42% | 60% |
| Vocational Training Enrolment | 8,500 | 20,000 |
| Teacher Quality Index | 6.2/10 | 8.0/10 |
Higher education reform focuses on research capacity, international collaboration, and alignment with labour market needs. The UAE’s major universities, including Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates University, and Zayed University, have received expanded research funding and mandates to establish international research partnerships. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence (MBZUAI), established in 2019, represents the government’s commitment to positioning the UAE as a global centre for AI research and talent development.
Vocational and technical education has received renewed attention under the vision. The Abu Dhabi Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (ACTVET) and the National Institute for Vocational Education (NIVE) are expanding programme offerings in advanced manufacturing, renewable energy, cybersecurity, and healthcare technology. The target is to significantly increase annual vocational training enrolment, addressing skills gaps in high-priority sectors.
Healthcare Quality
Healthcare modernisation under We the UAE 2031 targets a top-15 global ranking in healthcare quality, driven by investments in infrastructure, workforce development, digital health, and preventive care. The UAE’s healthcare system has undergone rapid expansion since the early 2000s, with significant capital investments in hospital infrastructure and medical tourism capabilities.
The Department of Health Abu Dhabi, Dubai Health Authority, and the Ministry of Health and Prevention each manage healthcare delivery within their respective jurisdictions. Under the 2031 vision, these entities are coordinating on a unified national health information exchange, enabling seamless patient data sharing across the federation.
| Healthcare KPI | Current Baseline | 2031 Target |
|---|---|---|
| Global Healthcare Quality Ranking | Top 25 | Top 15 |
| Life Expectancy | 78.7 years | 80+ years |
| Hospital Beds per 1,000 Population | 1.9 | 2.5 |
| Physician Density per 1,000 | 2.6 | 3.5 |
| Preventive Health Screening Rate | 45% | 75% |
| Digital Health Adoption | 38% | 70% |
Preventive healthcare has emerged as a strategic priority. The National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing, the National Nutrition Strategy, and expanded cancer and diabetes screening programmes are designed to shift the healthcare model from reactive treatment toward proactive prevention. The prevalence of diabetes and cardiovascular disease among the Emirati population, driven in part by lifestyle factors, represents a significant public health challenge that the vision explicitly targets.
Mental health services have also received increased attention, with the establishment of dedicated mental health centres and the integration of psychological support services into primary care networks. The National Mental Health Strategy aims to reduce stigma and improve access to care, particularly among youth and adolescents.
Community Cohesion and Happiness
The UAE has positioned itself as a global leader in the measurement and promotion of societal happiness. The appointment of the world’s first Minister of State for Happiness in 2016 signalled the government’s commitment to treating wellbeing as a policy outcome rather than an abstract aspiration. Under We the UAE 2031, the national happiness index target has been raised to 7.5 out of 10, requiring sustained improvements in quality of life, social connectivity, and institutional trust.
The National Programme for Happiness and Wellbeing coordinates across government entities to embed happiness metrics into policy design, service delivery, and performance evaluation. Community engagement initiatives, including volunteerism programmes, neighbourhood development projects, and interfaith dialogue forums, support social cohesion in a society where expatriates constitute approximately 88% of the total population.
The tolerance and coexistence agenda, formalised through the Ministry of Tolerance and Coexistence, continues under the 2031 vision. The Abrahamic Family House on Saadiyat Island, opened in 2023, serves as a physical manifestation of the UAE’s commitment to interfaith dialogue and peaceful coexistence. Legislative reforms, including the anti-discrimination law and the personal status law amendments, provide the legal framework supporting these objectives.
Housing and Quality of Life
Housing affordability and quality for Emirati citizens is a priority under the society pillar. The Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment and the Sheikh Zayed Housing Programme collectively manage a multi-billion dirham portfolio of housing grants, subsidised loans, and residential construction projects. Under We the UAE 2031, the combined housing investment commitment exceeds AED 32 billion, targeting the provision of adequate housing for all Emirati families.
Quality of life extends beyond housing to encompass urban planning, public spaces, recreational facilities, and cultural amenities. Each emirate maintains its own urban development authority, with Abu Dhabi’s Department of Municipalities and Transport and Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority playing prominent roles. The vision calls for expanded green spaces, improved public transportation networks, and the development of mixed-use community hubs that promote social interaction and active lifestyles.
Youth Development
Youth constitute a strategic demographic for the UAE’s long-term development trajectory. Approximately 30% of the Emirati population is under 25, and equipping this cohort with the skills, values, and opportunities necessary for productive citizenship is a central concern of the society pillar. The Federal Youth Authority, established in 2016, coordinates national youth development initiatives and manages the Emirates Youth Council system.
Youth entrepreneurship programmes, mentorship networks, and leadership development initiatives are embedded within the broader society pillar framework. The National Service programme, mandatory for male Emirati citizens and voluntary for females, combines military training with civic education and skills development.
Women’s Empowerment
The UAE has made measurable progress in women’s participation across economic, political, and social domains. The Gender Balance Council, chaired by Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, drives policy coordination on gender equality. The UAE ranks first in the Arab world on the UNDP Gender Inequality Index and has set targets under We the UAE 2031 to further increase female participation in the workforce, entrepreneurship, and public leadership.
Women hold 50% of the seats in the Federal National Council, a proportion achieved following the 2019 elections. Female labour force participation among Emiratis has risen steadily, supported by flexible work policies, childcare infrastructure, and targeted recruitment incentives in both the public and private sectors.
Sports Development
Sports development supports both public health and national identity objectives. The General Authority of Sports coordinates national sports strategy, with particular emphasis on grassroots participation, elite athlete development, and the hosting of international sporting events. The UAE regularly hosts Formula 1 (Abu Dhabi Grand Prix), international cricket, golf, tennis, and football tournaments, contributing to both tourism and national brand visibility.
Conclusion
The society pillar of We the UAE 2031 addresses the interconnected dimensions of human capital development that underpin the federation’s broader ambitions. By establishing measurable targets for education, healthcare, social cohesion, and quality of life, and by assigning institutional accountability for each objective, the vision creates a structured pathway for social transformation. The success of this pillar will determine not only the wellbeing of current residents but the readiness of future generations to sustain the UAE’s development trajectory.