Future YouAE 2024 | Home | Middle East
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Coming home to the UAE
The people of the UAE are adopting a long-term investment strategy when it comes to their financial wellbeing in the region indicating a growing belief in the country’s economic future, the allure of its dynamic lifestyle and career opportunities, and challenging traditional notions of retirement abroad.
The people of the UAE are adopting a long-term investment strategy when it comes to their financial wellbeing in the region indicating a growing belief in the country’s economic future, the allure of its dynamic lifestyle and career opportunities, and challenging traditional notions of retirement abroad.
7/10 people in the UAE plan on retiring here and are mostly between the age of 50 to 65
UAE dreams about a sparkly retirement
44% 30% want to start a business want to travel the world 22% want to pursue a passion
4% only have invested in a retirement savings plan of the UAE residents haven’t consulted a financial advisor to plan their retirement 61%
An itch to invest

The dominance of gold and real estate investments suggests a cultural affinity for tangible assets and a preference for investments perceived as stable and appreciating over time.

50%

have invested in gold.

47%

have invested in real estate.

41%

have invested in stocks.

Investment priorities change with age

Less saving, more investing; people of the UAE are getting serious about growing their wealth.

56%

prefer non-traditional
investments with
higher risk tolerance

63%

prefer traditional investments
and prioritized safeguarding
retirement funds

Younger and older have different approaches to investment. While Gen Z (18 to 24) has a higher tolerance for risk and a propensity for non-traditional investments, older respondents have opted for safer retirement funds and traditional investment avenues.

Bonus bliss

People in the UAE are feeling optimistic. A strong economy fuels hope for majority of the working population.

received bonuses 2023 2024 of the people in the UAE are expecting a bonus 48% 68%
Optimism ranges across
nationalities in the UAE
78%

Emiratis optimistic about receiving a bonus

65%

Arab Expats and Asians optimistic about receiving a bonus

54%

Western expats optimistic about receiving a bonus

Expectations are higher this year
32%

expected a bonus of AED 20K or less in 2023

77%

are expecting a bonus of AED 25K or less in 2024

Future-funded

This year's bonus is going towards long-term gratification.

37%

want to save their bonus for their children’s education

22%

want to save their bonus for their retirement

34%

want to invest in gold

With such investments, residents can safely secure and sustainably achieve their financial well-being goals. This, according to Zurich, is a delayed gratification strategy that can set them on a secure path to a bright future. However, 34% of people still use their bonus for short-term gratifications like a holiday with their family.

Who tells you, what to do?
75%

Rely on their families and friends to tell them how to invest their bonus

22%

Take employer and market trends into consideration

39%

Listen to their financial advisors

Get the right advice for you!
Talk to a financial advisor
Source: YouGov survey commissioned by Zurich International Life, part of Zurich Insurance Group (Zurich). Conducted in January 2024, the survey covered 1,000 residents in the UAE, including parents and married residents across various income groups, nationalities, occupations, gender and age groups and takes into account our data from the year 2023 also.