The UAE has secured 5th place in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, topping the Economic Performance category and claiming first position across 21 individual indicators in one of the world's most authoritative national competitiveness rankings.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, attributed the results to a combination of national vision, institutional strength, and consistent execution across sectors.
"Competitiveness for us is not a ranking to chase; it is a standard we set for ourselves every day,"
he said.
The UAE placed in the top 10 globally across 118 indicators and within the top five in 67 key criteria. It ranked first in Bureaucracy, Adaptability of Government Policy, Employment, National Culture, and Quality of Air Transportation, among others. Second-place finishes included Citizen Trust in AI, Creation of Firms, and Management of Cities, while the country placed third in Image Abroad, Tourism Receipts, and Society's Access to AI.
Published by the World Competitiveness Centre at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, the 2026 edition evaluated 70 economies using statistical data and executive opinion surveys. The Yearbook assesses performance across four pillars: Economic Performance, Government Efficiency, Business Efficiency, and Infrastructure, covering 342 competitiveness criteria in total.
Sheikh Mohammed reaffirmed the UAE's commitment to remaining a preferred destination for investors, global talent, and entrepreneurs, describing the rankings as evidence of the resilience and adaptability of the country's development model.
The results span labour markets, digital transformation, infrastructure, education, and governance, reinforcing the UAE's standing as a benchmark for competitive, future-focused national development.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
