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DATA FOR A BETTER FUTURE
The United Arab Emirates ranked first regionally in the 2023/2024 Human Development Index report issued by the United Nations Development Programme, advancing nine places in the global ranking from the previous report, to rank 17th globally out of 193 countries covered in the report, ahead of countries such as Canada, the United States, and Japan, thereby attaining a prestigious status and becoming the only Arab country among the top 20 globally.
His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, said, "Under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE, and the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE government is walking with firm and ceaseless steps towards serving humanity, happiness, and welfare."
He added, "The UAE has proven its leadership at the regional level and its global excellence in the field of human development, thanks to successful policies aimed at achieving prosperity in education, health, economy, living standards, and quality of life, and to ensure sustainable development in all areas to guarantee a promising and sustainable future for future generations."
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), said, "The UAE aspires to be among the best performing countries in global competitiveness reports, as competitiveness has a human and societal dimension focusing on human welfare. Under the wise leadership’s directions, we are working to establish the foundations of decent life in the country to ensure the welfare of its society."
Ahli added, "The UAE’s achievement of ranking 17th globally in the report to be among the leading countries in the field of human development is due to the combined efforts of federal and local entities in the health, education, and economic sectors, where it has topped the first place regionally over several years, advancing globally this year by nine places compared to last year. We are all continuing in the competitiveness race to achieve honourable performance for our country."
According to the report titled "Reimagining Cooperation in a Polarized World" this year, the UAE’s score reached 0.937, advancing from last year by 0.026 points, while Switzerland, which ranked first globally, scored 0.967. The UAE’s score in the life expectancy at birth indicator reached 79.2 years, contributing to the third goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (Good Health and Well-being), adopted by the United Nations member states for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The UAE’s score in the Expected Years of Schooling indicator was 17.2 years, while the Mean Years of Schooling was 12.8 years, reflecting on the fourth goal (Quality Education), while the Gross National Income per capita was 74.104 US dollars.
It is worth mentioning that the Human Development Report is issued annually by the United Nations Development Programme since 1990, and it is a composite index that reflects the well-being of peoples in the world through three dimensions (health, knowledge, and living standards), represented in four indicators: life expectancy at birth, expected years of schooling, mean years of schooling, and per capita gross national income.
The UAE delegation has recently participated in the meetings of the 55th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, held in New York City. This event stands as the largest international gathering of statistics and data science experts globally, drawing the heads and directors of statistical entities and data centres from various countries. The assembly also saw participation from academics, experts, and consultants in UN bodies and international organisations.
The UAE delegation included leaders from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), and local statistics centres including the Statistics Centre – Abu Dhabi (SCAD); Digital Dubai represented by Dubai Data and Statistics Establishment (DDSE); the Department of Statistics and Community Development (DSCD) in Sharjah; Ajman Statistics justify; Ras Al Khaimah Statistics justify (RAKSC); and the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security.
During its participation in the meetings, the delegation announced its adoption of the United Nations Statistical Commission’s decision proposal to initiate the World Population and Housing Census Programme for the year 2030. The statistical community in the country will commence work on implementing the proposal, positioning the UAE as the first in the world to incorporate this update into its international-level statistical agenda.
The delegation participated in meeting sessions and workshops, surrounding specialised activities and sessions addressing fundamental principles of official statistics, data science, open data, governance statistics, climate change statistics, integration of statistical and geospatial information, the International Comparison Program (ICP), services statistics, statistics related to aging, disaggregated data by age, demographic statistics, human development, and health statistics. Additionally, the agenda covered data and indicators related to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Plan.
The delegation emphasised that the practices and digital environment in the UAE have enhanced readiness and led to significant advancements in census implementation. This progress included the utilisation of artificial intelligence tools for data collection and processing, facilitated by effective partnerships between the government and private sectors. These collaborations extend to analysing spatial data for censuses and linking them to essential services for the population, thereby enhancing overall well-being.
The UAE delegation engaged in discussions with officials from various international organisations, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). They discussed the means of exploring opportunities for collaborative efforts to enhance the measurement of foreign direct investment, aligning with the latest practices and key private standards in data collection and calculation methodologies.
The delegation also met with representatives from statistical offices in various countries, including Statistics Sweden, Statistics Austria, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies in France, Stats New Zealand, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the Statistics Bureau of Japan, and the Korean Statistical Information Service. The meetings aimed to exchange statistical experiences and explore opportunities for enhancing cooperation, particularly in the context of updating the United Nations big data platform for the Sustainable Development Goals. Notably, the UAE is among the four countries worldwide selected as regional headquarters for the platform.
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Head of the UAE delegation and Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, emphasised the importance of strengthening international collaboration with organisations and partners in the fields of statistics and data science. She highlighted the need for concerted international efforts to leverage big data for the betterment of societies.
Additionally, she highlighted the importance of formulating initiatives to enhance government policies and fostering innovative partnerships between the government and private sectors. These collaborations aim to achieve the strategic goals set by the wise leadership of the UAE, enhance the well-being of communities, and underscore the necessity of working as a global community to unify efforts and design effective solutions for a better tomorrow for humanity.
The first meeting of 2024 for the UAE National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) took place during the "SDGs in Action Forum" at the World Governments Summit held in Dubai from February 12 to 14.
Abdulla Nasser Lootah, Deputy Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, Vice Chairman of the National Committee on SDGs, emphasised the importance of collaboration between all government bodies, and intensifying national efforts to achieve the sustainable development goals, and work to support partnerships to target the UAE sustainable development agenda.
The meeting was chaired by Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), who holds the role of the secretariat of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals. Her Excellency appreciated the efforts of the committee members in activating various national and international projects and initiatives, which contribute to a positive impact and building a sustainable future for the next generations.
Stressing the UAE’s leadership role in the field of sustainable development at the global level, His Excellency Abdulla Nasser Lootah said: “The committee meeting serves as a testament to the UAE’s unwavering commitment to guiding sustainable development towards a more expansive horizon. Additionally, it underscores a profound understanding of the essential role of teamwork and close collaboration between the government and private sectors, not only in shaping strategies but also in executing them effectively".
Lootah confirmed that the UAE contribution to achieving the desired progress aims to ensure that no one is left behind, through achieving sustainability at various sectors and cooperation with societies is essential to achieve the 2030 goals.
The “SDGs in Action Forum" engagements at the World Government Summit 2024 were presented during the meeting; which includes the representation of ministers, UN officials, decision makers and representatives of prominent international organizations from all over the world in 13 sessions, and more than 300 participants. The Committee also, adopted the UAE National Data Action Plan for the Sustainable Development Goals, which aims to measure the progress made in data analysis at the national level and ensure its accuracy.
Her Excellency Hanan Ahli said: “Recent data shows that progress towards the sustainable development goals is at the midway point and remains incomplete. Countries must intensify their efforts to enhance the availability of data concerning the 17 sustainable development goals, which aim to secure a better and more sustainable future for all. These goals are designed to tackle the global challenges confronting us."
Her Excellency added: “The availability of data on SDGs in Arab countries shows continuous improvement, with a notable 6 percent increase recorded between 2020 and 2023. According to data provided by the ESCWA organization, which has established a network of specialized technical teams to monitor completed data periodically and track achievements in real-time, there has been a significant advancement. It is noteworthy that the UAE has made remarkable strides in achieving sustainable development goals, reaching a rate of 42%, far surpassing the regional average performance of 14%, as reported by the Arab SDG Monitor by ESCWA".
His Excellency Mohammed Hassan, Executive Director of the National Statistics and Data Sector at FCSC, emphasised the importance of the statistics and data sector in knowledge exchange, which contributes to an important economic role equivalent to oil. This shift is attributed to the utilisation of technologies like artificial intelligence and digital technology, which significantly contribute to shaping future economies. The data revolution is seen as instrumental in realising strategic goals and fostering comprehensive sustainable development plans at local, regional, and global scales.
His Excellency further stressed that big data serves as the fundamental cornerstone for maximising the potential of artificial intelligence. It plays a crucial role in empowering this cutting-edge technology to fulfil one of its most critical functions: forecasting. This process proves invaluable in data-driven strategic planning initiatives.
The National Committee on SDGs was established to execute the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals at the national level. Its objectives include aligning the UAE’s priorities with those of the United Nations, as well as facilitating the exchange of experiences among local and international stakeholders and partners. This aims to broaden the pool of active participants in implementing the United Nations’ agenda for SDGs.
Source: Dubai ,The National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals in the UAE organized the "Sustainable Development Goals in Implementation" forum in its eighth edition, as part of the World Government Summit 2024. The forum, which was launched under the slogan "Sustainable Development Goals 2045: Paving the Way towards the Future Global Agenda", aimed to exchange best practices to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals by providing a space for global dialogue in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, as it is an opportunity for world leaders to present radical solutions to accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, face challenges and reshape the common future for future generations. The forum discussed global challenges by proposing innovative solutions, projects and initiatives to accelerate sustainable solutions to all major challenges in the world, including technological development, climate change, inequality, natural disasters and other challenges. Decision Makers The forum brought together world leaders, presidents, ministers, decision-makers, executives, experts and advisers from around the world in various sectors, and the forum was attended by Emine Erdogan, wife of the President of the Republic. Turkish and Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Outstanding Persons in Waste Eradication and Champion of Wise Cities in Waste in the World, Levan Davičvili, First Deputy Prime Minister of Georgia and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future, Her Excellency Hessa bint Essa Buhumaid, Director General of the Community Development Authority in Dubai, Mukhtar Babayev, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Conference of the Parties COP 29, and Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Deveka Vidot, Minister of Investment, Entrepreneurship and Industry of the Republic of Seychelles, and Paula Ingabire, Minister of Information and Communication Technology and Digital Innovation of Rwanda. The forum witnessed the organization of several dialogue sessions, aimed at contributing to shaping a prosperous and equitable future for all by highlighting key themes including promoting growth and change for effective governments, climate neutrality, strengthening partnerships and data-based strategies, modern vision for development and future economies, aspirations of tomorrow’s societies, and transformations. New globalism, urbanization towards new future horizons. Emirati endeavors The forum addressed the UAE’s efforts to make the Sustainable Development Goals a global call to action to eradicate poverty, protect the environment and ensure peace and prosperity, and the key axis of these initiatives in the UAE development agenda, in line with the broader vision for a sustainable and inclusive future. "We have supported and will continue to support all initiatives aimed at protecting the land entrusted to us and ensuring that we leave it a livable heritage for future generations because with the polluted sea crashing on all our shores, with the polluted air poisoning us all, and with the severity of global warming burning us all, we cannot continue to fight our conflicts separately. Abdullah Nasser Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange and Vice Chairman of the National Committee for Sustainable Development Goals, said: "The UAE, under the directives of its wise leadership, continues to move forward towards accelerating The pace of achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030 at the local and global levels, and its experience and initiatives have become a global example to be followed in this field," he said, noting that the country’s efforts go beyond borders through the global partnerships adopted by the country to help countries and communities around the world, especially in less fortunate countries.
His Excellency Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, announced that the UAE’s GDP grew by 5.1% during the first 9 months of 2025, as compared to the same period in 2024, reaching approximately AED 1.4 trillion. His Excellency emphasized that this growth reflects the success of the UAE’s economic policies, driven by the vision and direction of the wise leadership, further reaffirming the UAE’s position as a leading global economic power and an attractive destination for business and investment.
“These positive results, issued by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, indicate the achievement of new levels of growth and competitiveness,” H.E. added. “Non-oil GDP recorded a 6.1% growth during the first 9 months of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, exceeding AED 1 trillion in value. This reflects the continued development of the UAE’s economic model, built on diversification, knowledge, innovation, and the development of a robust and competitive legislative and economic environment,” he noted.
H.E. the Minister stated that: “These results shed light on the strong performance of non-oil sectors and their pivotal role in achieving the economic objectives of the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to double the country’s GDP to AED 3 trillion and position the UAE as a leading global hub for the new economy over the next decade.”
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), stated that GDP indicators for the first 9 months of 2025 reflect the advancement the national economy has reached, driven by integrated government policies and the efficiency of the national data and statistics ecosystem.
“This strong performance reflects the competitiveness of the UAE’s economic model based on diversification, innovation, and investment in human capital, reinforced by policy integration and strategic planning supported by accurate and reliable statistics,” she said.
She further noted that the continuous development of the national statistical system, alongside the use of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in analyzing economic indicators, has enhanced policy efficiency and promoted the UAE’s ability to achieve its development objectives.
Fastest-Growing Sectors Drive Economic Transformation
Results from the FCSC showcased the UAE’s success in consolidating a balanced and sustainable economic model based on diversification, productivity enhancement, and increasing value-added across vital sectors. This performance reflects the resilience of the UAE’s economic foundations and its capacity to sustain growth amid global economic shifts and challenges, supported by resilient economic policies, advanced infrastructure, and a competitive legislative ecosystem.
The finance and insurance sector recorded the highest growth rate during the first 9 months of 2025 compared to the same period last year, achieving 9% growth. It was followed by the construction sector at 8.7%, real estate at 7.9%, and manufacturing industries at 6.9%.
In terms of sectoral contribution to non-oil GDP, the trade sector ranked first with a 16.1% share, followed by manufacturing industries at 13.9%, finance and insurance at 13.5%, construction at 11.9%, and real estate activities at 7.9%.
UAE Leadership Promotes GCC Economic Integration
GCC economies recorded positive economic performance across key sectors during the first 9 months of 2025. The UAE led this advanced performance, reaffirming the effectiveness of the targeted national policies in supporting a diversified and sustainable economic model.
This progress reinforces the UAE’s position as a key driver of regional growth and a trusted international economic partner, contributing to strengthening GCC economic integration and advancing balanced development pathways that promote stability and prosperity across the region.
The UN Statistical Commission has selected the UAE to join the Advisory Board on the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics, marking a significant milestone, the first of its kind in the region. The selection reflects growing global confidence in the UAE’s leadership in developing statistical systems and strengthening data governance at the international level.
The UAE’s selection to the Advisory Board was announced during the country’s participation in the 57th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, held in New York from 3–6 March. The event represents the world’s largest international gathering of experts in statistics and data science, bringing together heads and directors of national statistical offices and data authorities from around the world, alongside academics, experts, and advisors from UN bodies and international organizations.
The UAE’s membership on the Advisory Board marks a significant milestone in its global leadership, particularly as it follows the country’s election to the United Nations Statistical Commission for the 2025–2028 term, making it the only Arab country currently serving on the Commission in a historic first since the Commission’s establishment in 1946.
The UAE delegation included government leaders from the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), the Sharjah Department of Statistics and Community Development, and the UAE’s National Anti-Money Laundering and Combatting Financing of Terrorism and Financing of Illegal Organisations Committee.
International Expertise and a UN Governance Mechanism
The Advisory Board, established in line with the outcomes of the previous session of the UN Statistical Commission, is a high-level UN mechanism dedicated to reinforcing global commitment to the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics. It aims to enhance the reliability, transparency, and independence of data amid the rapidly evolving global data ecosystem.
The Board brings together a distinguished group of international experts and specialists in official statistics, including five members from the United Nations Statistical Commission who serve on the Board throughout their Commission membership. This structure ensures a direct institutional connection to UN decision-making mechanisms and strengthens integration between technical and strategic levels.
The Board’s priorities focus on institutionalizing the Fundamental Principles as a reference framework for national statistical systems and promoting their adoption through high-level international strategic dialogue. It also supports the readiness of national systems to adapt to digital transformation, including the management of big data, the use of AI technologies, and the enhancement of data source interoperability. In addition, the Board contributes to the development of future statistical standards and practices, reinforcing global trust in official statistics and keeping pace with the evolution of the international data landscape.
Hanan Ahli: A More Integrated, Resilient, and Future-Ready Global Statistical System
Her Excellency Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre (FCSC), welcomed the UAE’s selection to the Advisory Board, affirming that the UAE Government will leverage its membership to support the practical implementation of the Fundamental Principles of Official Statistics.
She noted that the UAE will share its expertise in data harmonization and enhancing the quality of official statistics, while contributing to the development of governance frameworks that keep pace with digital transformation and ensure responsible and secure use of technology. She also emphasized strengthening collaboration and capacity-building through knowledge exchange, contributing to the establishment of a more integrated, resilient, and future-ready global statistical system that supports sustainable development priorities.
H.E. added that the UAE’s participation in the 57th session of the United Nations Statistical Commission, during its membership for the 2025–2028 term, reflects the country’s commitment to advancing a national statistical system built on reliability, governance, and integration. She highlighted the importance of transforming official statistics into a strategic enabler for policymaking, improving wellbeing, supporting sustainable growth, and strengthening data integration among relevant entities to enhance national indicators and support evidence-based policies.
She stated: “The UAE’s membership in the United Nations Statistical Commission represents a strategic milestone in the development of the national statistical work. We are working to move from data production to maximizing its impact in strategic foresight through an integrated statistical system built on governance, transparency, and advanced technologies; enhancing competitiveness, supporting sustainability, and reinforcing the UAE’s position as a trusted international partner in developing the global statistical system.”
Active Participation and Distinguished Presence
During the meetings, the UAE delegation participated in several discussions and contributions addressing key statistical topics on the Commission’s agenda. These included the development of international statistical frameworks, updates to methodologies related to national accounts, social, demographic and health statistics, environmental and agricultural statistics, as well as business and trade statistics.
Discussions also covered data governance, the greater use of advanced technologies and artificial intelligence in statistical work, and strengthening the measurement of progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
The UAE delegation emphasized the strategic importance of data governance in ensuring data quality, security, and usability, particularly in light of the growing reliance on non-traditional data sources and emerging technologies. The delegation also welcomed continued technical cooperation and knowledge exchange with international and regional partners to enhance the reliability of national statistics and their comparability at the international level.
These efforts also contribute to developing global databases and strengthening coordination and effective governance through the work programs of technical teams, supporting coherent and integrated implementation at both national and international levels.
It is worth noting that the United Nations Statistical Commission, established in 1946, is the highest international body responsible for developing the global statistical system. It plays a central role in decision-making related to statistical work, developing international statistical standards, supporting statistical systems in member states, and coordinating statistical activities among countries and international organizations. The Commission comprises 24 members elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council, representing different regions of the world.
Results reflect the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and the continued guidance and efforts of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum in advancing government excellence.
- First globally in government innovation, strategic prioritisation, and adaptability in executing plans and strategies
- Second globally in leadership and foresight
- Second globally in government services satisfaction, employment indicators, and adaptability
- Third globally in long-term vision and institutional coordination
In a renewed affirmation of the success of its development model built on proactiveness, adaptability, and future readiness, the UAE Government has further strengthened its global standing by securing its position among the world’s top 10 in the 2026 Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI).
This achievement reflects the vision of the UAE’s leadership in building a future-focused government grounded in innovation, institutional excellence, and adaptability to global transformations. It further reinforces the country’s position as a global model for modern governance.
The UAE’s advanced performance highlights the success of its government approach in transforming national ambitions into tangible global achievements. This is driven by the development of an integrated government ecosystem that combines effective policymaking, economic competitiveness, wellbeing, and investment in people. The approach aligns with the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision and strengthens the UAE’s global standing as a trusted partner and a hub for shaping the future.
The UAE’s progress in the Chandler Good Government Index – one of the world’s most comprehensive benchmarks for assessing government effectiveness across 133 countries, underscores the strength of its governance model. This model is built on proactiveness, speed of delivery, government agility, and readiness to navigate global changes, alongside the ability to create opportunities while consistently achieving leading global results.
His Excellency Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, stated:
“Guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, the UAE has succeeded in redefining the concept of government work globally through a model based on speed of achievement, operational excellence, and continuous readiness and agility in decision-making and development.
“The UAE leadership did not settle for building a traditional government that manages the present, but instead established a government that shapes the future, creates opportunities, anticipates change, and transforms global challenges into new pathways for growth and development. International indicators reflect the position the UAE has attained as one of the world’s most efficient, agile, and effective governments. This achievement embodies a leadership vision that places people at the centre of progress and recognises that shaping the future requires innovative thinking, proactive action, and a culture that knows no limits. What has been achieved is the result of national teams that have made excellence a daily approach and innovation a way of working, positioning the UAE as a global benchmark in building the governments of the future.”
The UAE achieved advanced results, ranking first regionally and across the Arab world in good governance. It also topped several global indicators, ranking first worldwide in government innovation, strategic prioritisation, and adaptability in executing plans and strategies, reflecting the efficiency of its governance model in anticipating the future and translating vision into tangible outcomes.
The UAE also ranked second globally in government services satisfaction, adaptability, and employment indicators, demonstrating the success of its policies in enhancing wellbeing, improving service efficiency, empowering national talent, and attracting global talent. Furthermore, it ranked third globally in long-term vision and institutional coordination indicators, reflecting the strength of its government model based on institutional integration, long-term strategic planning, and the ability to develop flexible policies that keep pace with global changes and accelerate government performance.
The UAE’s GDP grew by 6.2% in 2025, compared to 2024 according to figures released by the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, reaching AED 1.9 trillion, while Non-oil GDP recorded strong growth of 6.8% over the same period, reaching AED 1.5 trillion.
Commenting on the results, H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, said: “The national economy continues to deliver exceptional performance under the leadership and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and with the support of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.” He noted that the positive indicators reflect the success of the UAE’s economic model in building one of the world’s most dynamic, competitive, and diversified economies. He added that the sustained expansion of non-oil sectors and the growing contribution of emerging industries reflect steady progress towards the objectives of the “We the UAE 2031” vision.
“The UAE’s agile economic policies, guided by our leadership’s future-oriented vision and proactive response to global developments, have accelerated the diversification of the national economy, strengthened its competitiveness and sustainable growth, and supported the transition towards a more diversified economic structure. This further enhances the UAE’s position as a global hub for the new economy, expands its appeal as a destination for investment and business, and promotes its resilience and ability to adapt to international shifts. These achievements have been supported by a flexible business environment, advanced legislation, and a broad network of global economic partnerships,” H.E. added.
For her part, H.E. Hanan Mansour Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, stated that the strong economic performance recorded in 2025 reflects the success of the UAE’s development and economic policies in promoting economic stability and enhancing the competitiveness of key sectors. She highlighted the UAE’s continued efforts to develop its legislative framework, foster economic diversification, build a flexible and attractive business ecosystem, enhance infrastructure, and invest in key economic sectors.
“The UAE continues to promote its future economic readiness through investment in the digital economy, technology and innovation, while developing an integrated economic ecosystem that supports long-term growth and reinforces the country’s position as a global hub for business and investment,” H.E. added.
Key economic sectors demonstrated strong performance in 2025, with construction leading at 11.1%, followed by financial and insurance (10.4%), real estate (7.9%), and transport and storage (7.8%).
In terms of non-oil GDP contributions, trade accounted for the largest share at 16.9%, followed by financial and insurance activities (13.2%), construction (12.9%), and manufacturing (12.8%), reflecting the diversity of the national economy.
The results reflect the efficiency of the national statistical system in providing accurate and reliable economic data to support policymaking and informed decision-making.
National statistical entities continue to implement an integrated programme to modernise economic statistics, enhance data quality and integration, and align outputs with international standards and best practices. This supports the UAE’s ability to keep pace with economic transformation and strengthen future readiness.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, affirmed that the UAE continues, under the leadership of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to advance its development journey and solidify its position as a global model of competitiveness and excellence across all sectors.
His Highness said, “Under the leadership of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, the UAE continues to affirm its place among the world’s most competitive nations. The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 ranks us 5th globally, 1st in Economic Performance, 1st across 21 indicators, including Bureaucracy, Adaptability of Government Policy and in the top 5 globally across 67 indicators.”
His Highness added, “These results are the product of a national vision, capable institutions and teams across every sector who perform and deliver. Competitiveness for us is not a ranking to chase; it is a standard we set for ourselves every day. It is what raises the quality of life for our people, earns the confidence of the world, and confirms that the UAE is moving steadily towards a future of greater prosperity and leadership.”
His Highness affirmed that the UAE will continue to build on its position as a destination of choice for investors, a magnet for global talent and ambition, and a genuine partner for entrepreneurs and innovators, noting that the results are a testament to the strength and adaptability of the UAE’s development model.
The UAE’s performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, published by the World Competitiveness Centre at the International Institute for Management Development in Lausanne, Switzerland, places the country in the top 10 globally across 118 indicators and within the top 5 globally in 67 key criteria and sub-factors.
The country ranked 1st globally in 21 indicators, most notably Bureaucracy, Adaptability of Government Policy, Employment, International Experience, National Culture, Value System, and Quality of Air Transportation.
The UAE ranked 2nd globally in Citizen Trust in AI, Creation of Firms, Females in Parliament, and Management of Cities. It ranked 3rd globally in Image Abroad or Branding, Society’s Access to AI, Tourism Receipts, Exports of Goods and Energy Infrastructure, and 4th globally in Government Efficiency, Companies Investment in AI, and Legal and Regulatory Framework.
The results reflect the progress the UAE has achieved across labour markets, innovation, digital transformation, infrastructure, education and government policy, reinforcing its competitive standing at both regional and global levels.
The IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook is one of the world’s most authoritative references for measuring national competitiveness. The 2026 edition covers 70 economies and draws on statistical data and executive opinion surveys from the global business community to assess how effectively countries manage their resources and deliver sustainable prosperity.
The Yearbook is structured around four main factors: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency and Infrastructure, and encompasses 20 sub-factors and 342 competitiveness criteria spanning economic, administrative and social dimensions.
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