The UAE has climbed to 5th place in the 2025 IMD World Competitiveness Ranking. This puts the country ahead of major global economies like the United States, Germany, and Sweden — and marks a steady rise from its 28th position in 2009.
In the 2025 results, the UAE secured:
- 1st place in absence of bureaucracy
- 2nd — in policy adaptability
- 4th — in government efficiency
The annual ranking, conducted by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), assesses 69 countries based on key indicators including economic performance, business efficiency, infrastructure, and government effectiveness.
At the top of the list were Switzerland, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Denmark, with the UAE rounding out the global top five.
This milestone adds to a series of recent recognitions for the UAE on the international stage. The country was ranked the 2nd in the Global Safety Index in March 2025, 15th in the UN Human Development Index in May 2025, and 21st in the World Happiness Index.
Together, these rankings paint a clear picture of a country steadily building toward long-term resilience, innovation, and well-being.
