United Arab Emirates Voice and Accountability
Voice and Accountability VA.EST
United Arab Emirates's voice and accountability was -1.09 in 2025, ranked 165th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's voice and accountability stood at -1.09 in 2025, a rise of +0.00 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach -1.09 by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 165th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ Voice and Accountability score has slipped from its 1996 peak of –0.41 to a 2025 rating of –1.09, placing it 165th globally and tying with Uzbekistan at the same level. The index, which gauges the extent to which citizens can express opinions, access information and participate in public affairs, recorded its worst point in 2021 at –1.19, reflecting a deepening restriction on civil liberties during that period. Over the 26‑year coverage, the downward trajectory suggests that reforms aimed at enhancing media freedom, judicial independence and political pluralism have been limited, while regulatory tightening and heightened state control have outweighed any incremental openness. Compared with peers such as the Republic of Congo (–1.10) and Eswatini (–1.08), the UAE remains near the lower end of the distribution, indicating similar challenges in fostering participatory governance. If the government were to adopt more transparent policies and protect independent media, the current negative trend could be reversed, allowing the score to improve in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Voice and Accountability | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | -1.08 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | -1.09 | - | - |
| 2025 | -1.09 | +0.00 | #165 |
| 2023 | -1.09 | +0.03 | #162 |
| 2022 | -1.13 | +0.06 | #164 |
| 2021 | -1.19 | −0.01 | #168 |
| 2020 | -1.18 | −0.04 | #168 |
| 2019 | -1.14 | −0.02 | #166 |
| 2018 | -1.12 | −0.03 | #165 |
| 2017 | -1.10 | −0.05 | #165 |
| 2016 | -1.05 | +0.06 | #160 |
| 2015 | -1.11 | −0.05 | #161 |
| 2014 | -1.06 | −0.04 | #160 |
| 2013 | -1.02 | −0.02 | #163 |
| 2012 | -1.00 | −0.10 | #165 |
| 2011 | -0.90 | +0.01 | #155 |
| 2010 | -0.90 | −0.07 | #154 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw voice and accountability improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's voice and accountability was -1.09 in 2025. Ranked 165th globally. This represents a 0.4% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's voice and accountability peaked at -0.41 in 1996.
The lowest voice and accountability in United Arab Emirates was -1.19 in 2021.
United Arab Emirates ranks 165th globally in voice and accountability as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is VA.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Arab Emirates's voice and accountability is projected to reach -1.09 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The voice and accountability of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was -1.09. This ranks 165th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_voice-accountability,
title = {United Arab Emirates Voice and Accountability},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/voice-accountability/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}