emirates7 - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has continued its upward momentum in global competitiveness rankings for 2024, solidifying its position as a global leader in numerous key indicators. This success is attributed to the nation’s visionary leadership and strategic focus on human development as the cornerstone of its progress.
In 2024, the UAE ranked first worldwide in 223 indicators, up from 215 in 2023. It also placed among the top five globally in 444 indicators, compared to 406 the previous year, and secured a position in the top 10 for 661 indicators, a significant rise from 604 in 2023 and 508 in 2022.
This achievement reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to modernize its legislative framework, promote proactive economic and investment initiatives, uphold the rule of law, integrate advanced technologies, and enhance various sectors to improve the overall quality of life for citizens and residents.
In the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, the UAE climbed to seventh place globally, up three positions from the previous year, when it first entered the top 10 rankings. The country excelled across all dimensions of the report, ranking second globally for economic performance, fourth for government efficiency, and tenth for business efficiency. Additionally, it led in over 90 indicators within the report's primary and subcategories.
The UAE also maintained a strong regional and global presence in other key benchmarks. It ranked first regionally and 17th globally in the 2023/2024 Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Programme. For the third consecutive year, the UAE topped the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report with a record score of 7.7, the highest since the report's inception.
In the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, the UAE ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and 18th globally. It secured notable positions in transportation and infrastructure categories: first in the Arab world and fifth globally for road quality, tenth globally and second in the Arab world for public transport efficiency, and ninth globally for port services efficiency.
The UAE also demonstrated exceptional performance in the civil aviation sector. It ranked first globally in the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure Index within the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, as well as third globally for the efficiency of air transport services and availability of international flight seats.
In foreign direct investment (FDI), the UAE achieved remarkable success. According to the 2024 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report, it ranked second globally—behind the United States—in new FDI projects for 2023, with 1,323 projects, reflecting a 33% year-on-year increase. The UAE attracted FDI inflows totaling $30.7 billion (approximately AED 112.6 billion) in 2023, while its total foreign investments reached $262.2 billion (approximately AED 962 billion).
The UAE also excelled in digital services and government-related indicators. In the 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey, it ranked first globally in the ICT Infrastructure Index with a perfect score of 100%. The nation advanced significantly in the Human Capital Index, jumping 34 places from 44th to 10th globally, and secured first place in Asia and the Arab world for this index.
Further strengthening its global competitiveness, the UAE ranked fifth worldwide in the 2024 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index, published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), within the category of countries with a GDP between $100 billion and $1 trillion.
These accomplishments highlight the UAE’s ongoing success in fostering economic growth, innovation, and infrastructure development, solidifying its status as a global leader in competitiveness and quality of life.
In 2024, the UAE ranked first worldwide in 223 indicators, up from 215 in 2023. It also placed among the top five globally in 444 indicators, compared to 406 the previous year, and secured a position in the top 10 for 661 indicators, a significant rise from 604 in 2023 and 508 in 2022.
This achievement reflects the UAE's ongoing efforts to modernize its legislative framework, promote proactive economic and investment initiatives, uphold the rule of law, integrate advanced technologies, and enhance various sectors to improve the overall quality of life for citizens and residents.
In the 2024 IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook, the UAE climbed to seventh place globally, up three positions from the previous year, when it first entered the top 10 rankings. The country excelled across all dimensions of the report, ranking second globally for economic performance, fourth for government efficiency, and tenth for business efficiency. Additionally, it led in over 90 indicators within the report's primary and subcategories.
The UAE also maintained a strong regional and global presence in other key benchmarks. It ranked first regionally and 17th globally in the 2023/2024 Human Development Index published by the United Nations Development Programme. For the third consecutive year, the UAE topped the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor report with a record score of 7.7, the highest since the report's inception.
In the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, the UAE ranked first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and 18th globally. It secured notable positions in transportation and infrastructure categories: first in the Arab world and fifth globally for road quality, tenth globally and second in the Arab world for public transport efficiency, and ninth globally for port services efficiency.
The UAE also demonstrated exceptional performance in the civil aviation sector. It ranked first globally in the Quality of Air Transport Infrastructure Index within the 2024 Travel & Tourism Development Index, as well as third globally for the efficiency of air transport services and availability of international flight seats.
In foreign direct investment (FDI), the UAE achieved remarkable success. According to the 2024 United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) report, it ranked second globally—behind the United States—in new FDI projects for 2023, with 1,323 projects, reflecting a 33% year-on-year increase. The UAE attracted FDI inflows totaling $30.7 billion (approximately AED 112.6 billion) in 2023, while its total foreign investments reached $262.2 billion (approximately AED 962 billion).
The UAE also excelled in digital services and government-related indicators. In the 2024 United Nations E-Government Survey, it ranked first globally in the ICT Infrastructure Index with a perfect score of 100%. The nation advanced significantly in the Human Capital Index, jumping 34 places from 44th to 10th globally, and secured first place in Asia and the Arab world for this index.
Further strengthening its global competitiveness, the UAE ranked fifth worldwide in the 2024 Quality Infrastructure for Sustainable Development Index, published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO), within the category of countries with a GDP between $100 billion and $1 trillion.
These accomplishments highlight the UAE’s ongoing success in fostering economic growth, innovation, and infrastructure development, solidifying its status as a global leader in competitiveness and quality of life.