Another year, another strong result for the UAE. The country has once again ranked among the world’s five most competitive economies. The IMD World Competitiveness Ranking assessed 70 economies using more than 260 indicators covering economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
The UAE ranked fifth overall in the 2026. Other economies in the global top 5:
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
Here are some numbers showing the strength of UAE’s economy:
- Real GDP growth: 6.2%
- Inflation: 1.28%
- Unemployment: 1.75%, among the lowest globally
- Trade and income surplus: 14.27% of GDP
- Foreign investment: 7.9% of GDP
This performance helped the UAE secure first place globally for Economic Performance.
More UAE Global Rankings
UAE Healthcare Tops Global Rankings
UAE in World Happiness Ranking 2026
