logo
UAE shines in global competitiveness rankings for 2025

UAE shines in global competitiveness rankings for 2025

TAG 91.105-04-2025
The UAE has maintained its rising performance in the global competitiveness race during the first quarter of 2025 by achieving advanced positions in many relevant international and regional indicators and reports.
The country's impressive results reflect the success of its comprehensive development strategy, marked by efficient governance, proactive planning, and adaptability to global changes and challenges.
The UAE has maintained its position as the world's top destination for entrepreneurship, ranking number one for the fourth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2024-2025 report. The UAE outperformed 56 economies in fostering a thriving environment for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), excelling in key areas such as financing, government policies, ease of market entry, and social attitudes towards entrepreneurship.
In addition, the UAE has ranked 10th globally in the Global Soft Power Index 2025. This index evaluates national influence and perception, with the UAE scoring highly across various categories, including "Future Growth Potential," "Generosity," and "Influence." The country's Nation Brand also experienced a significant boost, reaching a value of $1.223 trillion.
The UAE's commitment to safety is further evidenced by its ranking as the second safest country globally in the 2025 Safety Index by Numbeo. The country also secured the second-lowest crime rate in the 2025 Crime Index, thanks to strict laws, efficient law enforcement, and smart policing initiatives, making it one of the most secure nations worldwide.
In logistics, the UAE ranked third globally in the 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index, reflecting its strong infrastructure for international trade, digital readiness, and sustainability initiatives in clean energy.
Finally, the UAE secured 21st place in the 2025 World Happiness Report, surpassing countries like the UK, US, and France, and leading the Arab region. This ranking highlights the country's efforts to ensure high life satisfaction for its citizens through social support, economic stability, and opportunities for personal freedom.
The UAE's ongoing performance across these diverse sectors underscores its growing global influence and commitment to advancing its economic, social, and technological landscape.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Over $500 million: UAE resident brings some of world's rarest gemstones to town
Over $500 million: UAE resident brings some of world's rarest gemstones to town

Khaleej Times

time07-08-2025

  • Khaleej Times

Over $500 million: UAE resident brings some of world's rarest gemstones to town

UAE resident FS, a Sri Lankan-born gem connoisseur, has brought two of the world's largest gemstones — a black star sapphire and a green beryl cat's eye — to the Emirates. Priced at over $500 million (Dh1.8 billion), the rare stones, named The Black Star of Eva and The Eye of Hope, have made their first commercial appearances in the UAE. The record-holder, who requested to remain unnamed, is the second generation in a family with deep roots in Sri Lanka's gem mining and trading industry. His father, now in his 80s, was a well-known gem miner and dealer. The black star sapphire has been in the family's possession since the 1970s, originally discovered in Sri Lanka. The green beryl cat's eye was acquired in 2020 from a local dealer in Madagascar. Following two years of gemological research, analysis, and international certification, the stones were submitted to Guinness World Records for evaluation. In 2024, both were officially recognised as the largest of their kind globally. 'Gemologists estimate their combined value to exceed $500 million, with individual valuations ranging between $100 million to $400 million each, depending on buyer interest and market demand,' said FS, the owner of the two rare diamonds. 'These are not just rare stones; they are unrepeatable. The scientific formation takes millions of years. They are cultural and geological marvels,' said the owner. The Black Star of Eva weighs 3,621.35 carats while The Eye of Hope weighs 854.95 carats. They achieved the Guinness World Records in 2024, and they still hold that record. The previous largest black star sapphire, The Black Star of Queensland from Australia, weighed 733 carats and was valued at over $100 million when sold in 2014. In comparison, The Star of Eva is nearly five times larger, said FS. The stones will likely be showcased through private, invitation-only viewings, with a strong focus on high-net-worth individuals, collectors, and royal families. There is also a possibility of future display at prestigious institutions, such as the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Private appointments for viewing and potential acquisition can also be arranged through direct contact. When asked why these rare gemstones have been brought here in the UAE, he said, 'Some people see more than just beauty and rarity in these stones — they see identity, heritage, and history. That's why they resonate so strongly here.' He added that the UAE is the hub of gem collectors; therefore, the two stones will get the best recognition in the world in the Emirates.

Egyptian Grand Museum official opening rescheduled for November 1
Egyptian Grand Museum official opening rescheduled for November 1

The National

time06-08-2025

  • The National

Egyptian Grand Museum official opening rescheduled for November 1

Egypt on Wednesday set November 1 as the date for the much-heralded, official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, the world's largest museum about a single civilisation. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during a Cabinet meeting. The opening of the $1 billion museum had been scheduled for July 3. The government blamed "current regional developments" when it announced the latest delay on June 14. That was a veiled reference to the Iran-Israel conflict at the time. A government statement said Mr Madbouly has directed the authorities to finish preparations for the opening, which he said would be an "exceptional event" attended by foreign dignitaries. The museum, which sits in view of the Giza pyramids west of Cairo, staged a soft opening last year. It is expected to continue to receive visitors until shortly before the formal opening in November. The museum was first announced in 2002, when a foundation stone was laid at the site. However, the idea of building a museum of its size was first mooted in the 1990s. The museum, or the GEM as it is known, is attracting thousands of foreign and local visitors daily. Still, Egypt believes the official opening ceremony, which is likely to be broadcast live across much of the world, will help to boost tourism, a vital foreign currency earner for the North African country. The museum is forecast to attract as many as five million visitors after its official opening. Egypt is anticipating a 6 per cent annual increase in international visitors this year to reach 16.8 million travellers, despite the shadow of wars around it in Gaza, its eastern neighbour, and Sudan to the south. Egypt aims to further diversify its offerings and expand into adventure travel and conference meetings, among other avenues, according to Sherif Fathy, Egypt's Minister of Tourism and Antiquities. Egypt may revise its annual forecast upwards later in the year, as the first three months of 2025 showed a 25 per cent annual increase, he said.

UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East
UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East

Khaleej Times

time05-08-2025

  • Khaleej Times

UAE leads youth-driven startup surge in the Middle East

Entrepreneurial ambition among young people in the Mena region is on a sharp rise, with 46 per cent of workers expressing interest in starting their own business. Nowhere is this intent more visible than in the UAE, where a dynamic ecosystem of startups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is enabling youth to turn vision into reality. A new PwC Middle East report, Future Ready Mena, highlights the urgent need to strengthen entrepreneurial capabilities across the region. It notes that the survival rate of small businesses doubles when guided by experienced mentors, and that mastery of emerging technologies — from artificial intelligence to digital commerce platforms — has become critical as the global workforce braces for the disruption of more than a billion jobs by 2030. The UAE's record in fostering entrepreneurship is already world‑leading. According to the 2024–2025 Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM), the nation ranks first globally for the fourth consecutive year as the best destination for startups and SMEs, surpassing 55 other economies. It leads in 11 out of 13 indicators that measure institutional support for entrepreneurship, including access to financing, regulatory ease, integration of entrepreneurship in education, and supportive cultural attitudes toward enterprise creation. SMEs are a cornerstone of the UAE's non‑oil economy, numbering around 557,000 and contributing an estimated 63.5 per cent of non‑oil GDP. That share is expected to rise as the nation pushes towards its target of one million SMEs by 2030, driven by an expanding digital economy, government funding programmes, and improved access to financial services. The third edition of the Mastercard SME Confidence Index shows that 91 per cent of SMEs in the UAE are optimistic about their business prospects this year, while 90 per cent expect revenue to match or exceed 2024 levels. The country's startup scene is equally vibrant. More than 5,600 active startups operate in the UAE, the highest number in the GCC. In May 2025 alone, these ventures attracted nearly $87 million in funding across 14 deals. Abu Dhabi's Hub71 has become a key catalyst, hosting over 260 startups as of mid‑2023 and offering equity‑free incentives, investor introductions, and global market access. In Sharjah, the Sheraa entrepreneurship centre has helped over 450 startups raise $297 million in capital and generate $372 million in revenue, with more than half being women‑led. This growth in entrepreneurial activity is supported by evolving education and cultural attitudes. Surveys among Emirati university students show a strong correlation between self‑confidence, institutional support, and entrepreneurial intention. While public sector careers remain attractive, a growing share of youth see business ownership as a viable, even preferred, career path. PwC's report recommends that governments, educators, and the private sector collaborate to expand structured entrepreneurship education, develop mentorship networks, empower women entrepreneurs, and promote technological proficiency. Programmes such as university incubators, government‑backed accelerators, and industry‑linked training are critical in translating youth ambition into scalable enterprises. The UAE already has a track record of producing high‑growth, tech‑driven ventures. Success stories like Talabat, Tabby, Swvl, and Tamara demonstrate how digitally native business models can rapidly scale when built on a foundation of entrepreneurial agility and strong market understanding. The World Economic Forum notes that Gulf states benefit from a maturing startup environment, strong investment flows from sovereign wealth funds, and regulatory innovation that reduces barriers for new businesses. Nearly 49 per cent of GEM's global respondents cite fear of failure as a barrier to launching a business, a sentiment shared by many in the region. But policymakers and investors in the UAE are addressing these concerns with simplified licensing processes, early‑stage funding opportunities, and structured mentoring support designed to build resilience among young founders. The convergence of strong youth ambition, robust ecosystem frameworks, and institutional backing positions the UAE as a model for inclusive, sustainable entrepreneurial growth in the Mena region. Yet experts stress that maintaining this momentum will require deeper mentorship engagement, embedding entrepreneurship across all levels of education, and ensuring equal opportunities for women and underrepresented groups. As PwC Middle East's education lead Roland Hancock points out, entrepreneurial capabilities extend far beyond traditional business knowledge. 'It's about adaptability, creativity, problem‑solving, and digital fluency. By investing in these capabilities now, the region can unlock the full potential of its youth and establish itself as a global hub for innovation and industry leadership.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store