GCC countries have surpassed the global benchmark in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, with the bloc scoring 66.9 points against a worldwide average of 59.9 — a gap of nearly seven points that underscores the region's growing reputation as one of the world's most open business environments.
The data, released by the GCC Statistical Centre, shows that all six member states either improved or held steady between 2025 and 2026. Scores remained closely clustered across the group, pointing to a shared trajectory of reform rather than isolated gains by any single country.
At the Arab regional level, GCC nations claimed seven of the top spots, reinforcing their standing as the most economically open economies in the Arab world.
The index, which covers 184 countries and runs on a scale from 0 to 100, classifies economies from "Repressed" to "Free" based on four core pillars: Rule of Law, Government Size, Regulatory Efficiency and Market Openness. Each pillar is assessed through a set of 12 sub-indicators.
Higher scores on the index are directly linked to a range of economic benefits, including greater foreign investment inflows, stronger job creation, improved competitiveness and more stable financial markets. Reduced corruption and better individual living standards are also cited as measurable outcomes.
The results reflect the continued momentum of structural reforms across the bloc, as governments push to build investment-friendly environments and diversify beyond oil-dependent revenue streams.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
