The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has solidified its position as a global leader in competitiveness, ranking first globally in 223 key indicators in 2024, an increase from 215 in 2023. This achievement reflects the nation’s commitment to advancing human development and fostering an environment of innovation, sustainability, and quality of life under its visionary leadership.
The UAE also ranked in the top five globally for 444 indicators and among the top 10 for 661 indicators, showcasing steady growth compared to previous years. These milestones underline the UAE’s progressive legislative reforms, technological advancements, and strategic initiatives aimed at bolstering economic systems and investments.
Climbing the Global Rankings
In the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024, the UAE climbed to seventh globally, moving up three places from last year. The country excelled across all dimensions, ranking:
- 2nd globally in economic performance,
- 4th globally in government efficiency, and
- 10th globally in business environment efficiency.
The UAE led over 90 individual indicators in this report, reaffirming its position as a global benchmark in governance and economic excellence.
Highlights Across Key Reports
Human Development Index (HDI)
- Ranked 1st regionally and 17th globally in the 2023/2024 Human Development Index issued by the United Nations Development Programme, among 193 countries.
Global Entrepreneurship Monitor
- Topped the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor for the third consecutive year with a record rate of 7.7, reflecting the UAE’s strong entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Travel & Tourism Development Index
- Ranked 1st in the Middle East and North Africa and 18th globally in the Travel & Tourism Development Index issued by the World Economic Forum.
- Secured top global rankings in:
- Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure (1st globally),
- Efficiency of Air Transport Services (3rd globally), and
- Port Service Efficiency (9th globally).
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
The UAE ranked 2nd globally after the United States in new FDI projects for 2023, with 1,323 new projects, reflecting a growth rate of 33%.
- Total FDI inflows reached $30.688 billion (AED 112.6 billion) in 2023.
- The UAE’s cumulative foreign investments reached $262.208 billion (AED 962 billion) by the end of 2023.
Advancements in Digital and Infrastructure Services
The UAE achieved remarkable progress in digital governance:
- 1st globally in the ICT Infrastructure Index with a perfect score of 100% (United Nations E-Government Survey 2024).
- Advanced from 44th to 10th in the Human Capital Index, securing 1st in Asia and the Arab world.
Additionally, the UAE ranked 5th globally in the Quality Infrastructure Index for Sustainable Development (UNIDO 2024) within economies with a GDP between $100 billion and $1 trillion.
The UAE’s continued ascent in global competitiveness reflects its focus on long-term growth and innovation. From legislative modernization to fostering entrepreneurial and economic ecosystems, the UAE is setting benchmarks across governance, technology, and infrastructure.
As the UAE heads into 2025, it remains a global leader in shaping sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking policies, ensuring a robust foundation for its citizens and residents alike.
