The 30-page comprehensive report discusses in detail government’s policies that have spurred socio-economic development in the country in the context of MDGs set for year 2015.

The report has a holistic approach because UAE nationals as well as expatriates were taken into account in scaling the impact of government policies.

Many of the achievements are linked to the unique social security net provided by the state and its welfare-oriented policies, taking care of education, health, housing, and helping its people in the hour of need.

For instance, around 40,000 families received financial aid from the government in 1980. In 2005, the number went down to 31,000, as effective policies resulted these people becoming part of productive economy.

It also reflects the positive impact of effective social security net, which is unique in the world. The government has doubled its spending on providing social security with the increase in GDP.

The UNDP report believes reaching 100 per cent enrolment is a theoretical goal. But, the country, which has a public education programme, has shown great improvement in education at all stages of schooling.

Gender equity

The UAE is the most progressive nation, when it comes to women’s empowerment, as state legislations do not discriminate with respect to education, employment or the quality of services provided. Educational indicators show that women’s share of education has reached its targeted levels, and in some cases exceeded men’s because of their strong desire to become financially independent.

Among other departments, the army and the police force provide them with attractive jobs at an early age, even before completion of their secondary education, which has resulted in better scoring by women in this area.

Share in economic activity also stands out the UAE, as 22 per cent of women are employed by state, as compared to just 11.6 per cent in 1999. The ratio of professional females has reached four per cent, while they constitute around 43 per cent of the investors in Abu Dhabi Securities Market, showing their commitment in taking part in economic activity.

Year 2007 would be remembered for long, as nine women won parliamentary seats in a house of 40, depicting 23 per cent, remarkable by all standards and reflecting the progressive approach of not only the government but also the society.

Healthcare

The nation has shared its oil revenues with its people by allocating generous sums for healthcare, which has positive bearing on all health-related indicators.

Under the MDGs, infant mortality rate of 11.4 per 1,000 live births in 1990 is to be brought down to a level of 3.8 by 2015, and latest statistics show that the nation had achieved 8.7 by 2005, bringing down the rate by 1.8 per cent per annum.

According to the MDGs report, the UAE has already achieved its goal of post-partum mortality rate which dropped to zero per cent in 2000. Since, 1993 proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel has been seen at 99.9 per cent. The country is declared free of malaria while deadly AIDS is a rare disease.