To think that people who admire Dubai's low crime rate often miss the fact that it's partly due to nearly 90% of the population being temporary workers?

And it’s a huge centre for money laundering and organised crime.

This exchange has reminded me of a convo I had recently. I’ve just spent several weeks in the US and found it to be clean, efficient, Can Do, nothing too much trouble, masses of selection in shops, people happy. I said as much on my return and was told by a friend that I had rose coloured spectacles on considering the absolute state the US is in at the moment… she’s never been there, all her info is from social media. People are just so committed to their disapproval of certain countries and how they do things that they assert that the reality of being there must be misery and “quiet despair” 🙄

You can't compare apples and pears - two completely different societies.

There is obviously more actual crime in Dubai than any official statistics would show, due to lack of reporting e.g. sexual assault, drug dealing, abuse of domestic staff, business fraud, etc.

Crime is more than visible street robbery and shoplifting, which exercises us here.

I lived in China for a while and felt very safe possibly due to there still being capital punishment

It’s a strange MN obsession is Dubai bashing..

As you and other MNetters will continue to defend your preferred beliefs around countries you disapprove of, and other people’s choices to work and reside there.

No, this is not true.

You say that like it’s a bad thing.

The point is that inviting people to work there shouldn’t mean impunity to commit crime. Something this country could learn from.

And they will continue to defend their choices.

Dubai do not always publish crimes

Every person I know who lived and worked in Dubai was having an absolute ball including several family members - we visited many times. That’s why they don’t come back. Absolutely ludicrous to assert that majority are living lives of “quiet despair” 😁.

I lived there as a child in the 70's. Even then you did not argue with the police. You were taken away and never heard of again

Because the government of Dubai spends millions on advertising. Simple as that.

Dubai is not a real place, it‘a a machine. One that classifies and tags every resident by their role and value within its system. Your daily reality in Dubai is shaped by the category you fall into and what you can offer to the system, whether that’s expat teacher, business executive, or labourer. For many Western expats, particularly teachers, Dubai offers generous benefits and a lifestyle that far exceeds what they could afford back home.

But the reality of living in Dubai often means being trapped in a cycle of debt, fear, and silent despair. Many expats (based on my observation and lived experience) struggle with eating disorders, mounting debt, and a quiet depression. The fear of returning to a lower standard of living at home keeps people stuck.

Publicly, Dubai promotes itself as a safe, orderly place with low street crime, and you will never hear a bad word mentioned about Dibai from residents or the media (as Dubai is huge on policing what gets said online about it), but there’s a darker side of organised crime. While many expats boast about day to day safety, they overlook or deny the existence of systemic exploitation and hidden abuse.

I lived there for seven years, I found Dubai to be a city devoid of soul, where people stay trapped by visas, debt, and the fear of leaving behind material comforts. It’s a place full of quiet desperation beneath the surface glamour.

But people will continue to move there. The tax advantages, high salaries, and top service standards pull people in, and they will continue to defend their choice despite the challenges.

It's all smoke and mirrors. I expect a lot is hushed up.

There was a story of sex worker left dumped at the side of the road in Dubai with a broken spine. In return for getting her medical bills covered she was required not to discuss the case. They clearly have their own methods of hushing up serious crime. I've seen people discussing this case saying 'what did she expect as a sex worker' but no one should be treated the way she was, and it's definitely a reflection on how women in Dubai are either seen as respectable or not and treated accordingly.

Same here! Went to Dubai years ago, could not wait to leave. The longest week of my entire life! Hated every minute…I found it so tacky and gaudy and deadly dull…

Yeah. I never understood what the OP was saying at first, but got it now.

Dubai has 2 types of migrants. The ex-pat type, Typically well off,

And the migrant workers. Low wage, working in conditions near to bondage. Confined to work site etc.

I never quite understand people who are desperate to go live in dubai. Or people who go planning to earn the money for 5 yrs then return, but don't. Do they get stuck there?

Exactly. Of course some people like taxi drivers are naturally honest and would return a customer’s wallet, but when you have a high population of workers terrified of repercussions and/or being deported, combined with a high surveillance state then crime will be low.

It's like Las Vegas but with fewer Americans. That's not an endorsement BTW.

You couldn’t PAY me to go to Dubai. The most miserable, soulless place I’ve ever visited on earth.

So more immigrants equals less crime? We need some of that here.

Are there people who admire that statistic? Surely most people know that it’s virtually a police state. That some people choose to ignore that is another thing.