With exceptional performance, the UAE continues to excel in the global competitiveness race for 2026. As the nation enhances its international presence, it showcases a robust developmental model that fosters sustainable achievements and secures its position among the most future-ready economies worldwide.
Strengthening Global Competitiveness
In the first half of 2026, the UAE has affirmed its status as a competitive and pioneering nation, consistently achieving significant results in international and regional reports. These impressive outcomes underscore the effectiveness of the UAE’s forward-looking vision and a government framework characterized by efficiency, flexibility, and swift execution. The adoption of comprehensive developmental policies has made preparedness, proactive planning, and innovation essential pillars that drive growth and transform global changes into opportunities, further establishing the UAE as a global model in governance and development.
Leading in Entrepreneurship
The UAE maintains its global leadership in the entrepreneurship landscape, securing the top spot worldwide for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for 2025-2026. This achievement surpasses many advanced economies, reinforcing its status as the best environment for launching and conducting new businesses globally.
Remarkably, the nation ranks first among high-income economies in eight indicators, including infrastructure, government policies regarding support and adaptability, taxes and bureaucracy, government entrepreneurship programs, research and development transfer, market accessibility, and entrepreneurial education.
Additionally, the UAE has earned the second position globally in entrepreneurial financing and accessibility, being among four countries that exceeded the ‘sufficiency’ level across all criteria outlined in the entrepreneurship framework.
Outstanding Performance in Global Competitiveness Report
In its annual report for global competitiveness in 2026, issued by the Global Competitiveness Center of the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, the UAE achieved outstanding performance, claiming the first rank worldwide in economic performance and fifth overall in comprehensive competitiveness. For the tenth consecutive year, the UAE has held the regional top position while also ranking fourth globally in government efficiency, corporate investment in artificial intelligence, and the legal and regulatory framework.
The strong performance of vital sectors has placed the UAE among the top ten nations worldwide in 118 indicators and among the top five in 67 key and sub-indicators. Notably, the UAE topped the global list in 21 indicators, including the absence of bureaucracy, the adaptability of government policies, employment rates, the availability of global expertise, national culture, community support for competitiveness, and the quality of air transport.
Enhancing Soft Power and Stability
The UAE has solidified its place among the world’s top ten countries in the Global Soft Power Index for 2026, published by Brand Finance, marking the fourth consecutive year in this ranking. The state showcased significant progress across various dimensions of the index, particularly in business, trade, and international relations, while achieving qualitative advancements in governance, security, and sustainability. This achievement also included the highest historical ranking in governance indicators.
For the first time, the UAE entered the list of the top ten global investment destinations, benefiting from its economic reputation, stable business environment, and adaptability to global economic shifts. The Global Soft Power Index evaluates 193 countries, involving more than 150,000 business leaders, policymakers, and societal elites worldwide.
The UAE has reaffirmed its position as one of the most stable and attractive countries for living and working, topping the safety index for 2026, as reported by Numbeo, a website dedicated to comparing living standards and quality of life. According to the report, Abu Dhabi remains at the forefront of the world’s safest cities for the tenth consecutive year since 2017.
Continuing its stability and attractiveness indicators, the UAE has also emerged as one of the world’s leading countries in attracting affluent individuals for the second consecutive year in 2026, according to the Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026. The report noted that the UAE achieved the highest score globally in the wealth mobility competitiveness index, with a score of 85.3 out of 100. Additionally, the UAE secured the first position globally in government trust, as detailed in the Edelman Trust report for 2026.
By maintaining its exceptional performance in numerous competitive indices, the UAE not only enriches its global standing but also reinforces its commitment to sustained growth and development.