UAE residents have fully embraced the “work hard, play hard” philosophy, balancing their busy careers with a variety of entertainment options, according to a recent survey.
The findings reveal that a staggering 97% of UAE residents make time to go out for entertainment at least once a month, showcasing the country’s vibrant entertainment culture.
The survey, conducted by YouGov and featured in the Entertainment & Sports Report from communications agency duke+mir, polled over 1,000 individuals across the UAE to uncover their entertainment habits. The report also highlights that a significant 81% of residents subscribe to at least one paid entertainment service, such as streaming platforms or online fitness subscriptions. However, nearly 30% of respondents admitted that they rarely use some of their subscriptions and may consider canceling them.
Dining out is another popular pastime among UAE residents, with nearly 70% dining out every week. The UAE’s bustling restaurant scene, particularly in Dubai, boasts over 27,000 restaurants and cafes, making it easy for residents to enjoy a variety of culinary experiences.
“Dubai is a culinary haven, and you never have to travel far to find a great option,”
said Jonathan Ivan-Duke, co-founder of duke+mir.
For residents like Latvian expat and PR professional Vlada Lomova, weekends are a time to explore new entertainment options, from concerts at Dubai Opera to discovering new coffee shops.
"I love making the most of my weekends outdoors, especially with the perfect weather in Dubai,"
Lomova shared.
Meanwhile, Sharjah resident Nisrin Arsiwala prefers quieter weekends with family, focusing on home-cooked meals and movie nights.
"We generally step out once or twice a month for movies,"
she said.
The subscription-based economy in the UAE is growing steadily, with entertainment subscriptions spanning platforms like Netflix, Amazon, e-books, and online fitness services. This shift toward a subscription model is part of a global trend that is projected to reach $1.5 trillion by 2025, rivaling the GDP of some of the world’s largest economies. However, nearly a third of subscribers acknowledge that they have unwanted subscriptions, potentially wasting millions of dirhams on dormant accounts.
Other notable findings from the study include that 37% of residents enjoy watching sports live, 24% visit cinemas, and 23% attend live performances weekly. Moreover, sports participation is widespread, with 66% of residents engaging in physical activities every week. Among younger people aged 18-24, 75% participate in weekly sports, and 73% play video games, with 31% holding paid gaming subscriptions.
As the UAE continues to enjoy a dynamic entertainment scene, both offline and through subscriptions, it’s clear that finding time for leisure is integral to the country’s work-life balance culture.
News Source: Khaleej Times
