A report issued by the Federal National Council yesterday indicated that the United Arab Emirates continues to strengthen its efforts to empower people of determination and integrate them into all areas of life, through expanding opportunities in education, rehabilitation and employment — reinforcing their effective participation in the development journey and reflecting the country's approach to building an inclusive society that provides equal opportunities for all its members.
The report, adopted during the council's study of the federal law bill for 2026 concerning the approval of the consolidated final accounts of the federation for the financial year ending 31 December 2025, revealed that the total number of people of determination employed in the federal government rose to 4,637 employees by the end of 2025, compared with 4,443 employees in 2024 — an increase of 194 employees — in a step that reflects the success of national policies aimed at enhancing economic empowerment and labour market integration.
In support of this group, the relevant authorities implemented 123 programmes and initiatives during 2025 with a total budget of 38.1 million dirhams, achieving a completion rate of 100%. These encompassed early detection and intervention programmes, rehabilitation, and educational and vocational inclusion, contributing to the development of the capabilities of people of determination and enabling their effective participation in society.
These programmes facilitated early screening of 1,168 children, the inclusion of 45 children in mainstream public schools, the training of 169 students in vocational rehabilitation programmes, and the employment of 194 individuals in cooperation with partners across various sectors — outcomes that directly contributed to the growth in the number of people of determination employed in the country.
These results affirm the UAE's orientation towards enhancing empowerment, social and economic integration, and the harnessing of national talent, thereby raising societal readiness and strengthening the contribution of people of determination to sustainable development.
Senior citizens
In the same context, the country gave balanced attention to various segments of society, implementing 46 dedicated programmes for senior citizens with a budget of 23.9 million dirhams and an implementation rate of 100%, with the aim of providing comprehensive care and specialised services, enhancing quality of life and family stability, and consolidating values of social cohesion and intergenerational solidarity.
The Federal National Council affirmed that investing in social protection and empowering all segments of society represents a direct investment in national readiness, as the state's capacity to confront challenges is linked not only to the efficiency of its security institutions but also to its ability to build a cohesive society that enjoys high levels of stability, trust and participation in development.
It noted that the results achieved during 2025 reflect the UAE's success in consolidating an integrated model that combines security, development and societal empowerment, thereby enhancing social resilience and the sustainability of stability in the face of future changes.
As part of efforts to strengthen social readiness and the stability of Emirati families, expenditure directed at proactive social policies and services reached approximately 3 billion and 35 million dirhams during 2025, with an implementation rate of 100%, reaffirming the continued development of a comprehensive social protection system capable of responding to economic and social changes and supporting the quality of life for all members of society, foremost among them people of determination.