The information on this page was current at the time it was published. Regulations, trends, statistics, and other information are constantly changing. While we strive to update our Knowledge Base, we strongly suggest you use these pages as a general guide and be sure to verify any regulations, statistics, guidelines, or other information that are important to your efforts.
UAE Global Reports and Rankings
Understanding how the United Arab Emirates performs in various global reports and rankings is crucial for companies considering expansion into this dynamic market. These reports offer valuable insights into the country’s business environment, competitiveness, infrastructure, and overall development.
By analyzing these rankings, companies can gain a deeper understanding of the potential opportunities and challenges they might encounter.
World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Index – the UAE
This annual index ranks over 130 countries on their relative competitiveness across a number of indices: Basic Requirements, Efficiency Enhancers, and Innovation and Sophistication Factors. Each country has its own profile with sub index scores and trends over time. The latest edition of this report was published in 2020.
World Bank Group Doing Business Report – The UAE
This annual report rates and ranks 190 countries on their ease of doing business. A high ease of doing business ranking means the regulatory environment is more conducive to the starting and operation of a local firm. Each country’s profile contains information on things such as taxes, time to set up a business, and trading across borders.. The latest edition of this report was published in 2020 and discontinued.
UAE World Bank Group Worldwide Governance Indicators
The Worldwide Governance Indicators assess government effectiveness, regulatory quality, and control of corruption. Singapore consistently scores well in these areas, earning a reputation for transparency, accountability, and good governance.
World Economic Forum Global Information Technology Report – The UAE
The World Economic Forum’s Global Information Technology Report (GITR) assesses a country’s readiness to participate in the digital economy. The report highlights strengths in business environment and infrastructure but identifies weaknesses in digital skills and innovation.A robust ICT infrastructure facilitates seamless business operations and opens doors for e-commerce and other digital ventures..The last Global information Technology report was released in 2016.
UAE World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap Report
This report assesses a country’s progress towards gender equality. The UAE’s ranking in 2023 was 71st globally. While the UAE has made strides in female education and political participation, there’s still room for improvement in areas like labor force participation.
Understanding the UAE’s gender gap can help companies develop inclusive workplace policies and strategies that resonate with the female demographic, a growing segment of the UAE’s workforce.
UAE Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index
This index ranks countries based on their perceived levels of corruption. In 2023, the UAE ranked 26th globally.This relatively high ranking indicates a business environment with a strong focus on transparency and accountability.A low corruption ranking suggests a fair and predictable business environment, which can reduce operational risks for companies expanding into the UAE.
World Bank Open Data – the UAE
The World Bank Open Data platform provides a vast collection of data on various economic and social indicators for the UAE. This data can be used to assess factors like GDP growth, demographics, and trade flows. By analyzing World Bank data, companies can gain insights into the UAE’s market size, economic health, and consumer spending patterns, all crucial factors for developing a successful business strategy.
UAE Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
The OECD is an intergovernmental organization that promotes economic policies that improve the well-being of people around the world. As of May 2024, the UAE is not a full member of the OECD, but it participates in some OECD initiatives.
If the UAE participates in a specific OECD committee or initiative relevant to your industry, this can provide insights into the country’s commitment to international best practices.
Published by the CIA, the World Factbook provides a comprehensive overview of the UAE’s geography, demographics, government, economy, and military. The World Factbook offers a general picture of the UAE’s business landscape, including factors like population size, infrastructure development, and political stability.
UAE World Trade Organization Trade Profile
The World Trade Organization (WTO) provides trade profiles for all member countries, including the UAE. This profile offers insights into the UAE’s trade policies, tariffs, and major trading partners. Understanding the UAE’s trade profile can help companies identify potential export opportunities and navigate import regulations.
UAE World Intellectual Property Organization Global Innovation Index
This index ranks countries based on their innovation capabilities. In 2023, the UAE ranked 32nd among 132 economies globally.This ranking indicates a growing innovation ecosystem in the UAE. A high ranking in the Global Innovation Index suggests a strong environment for protecting intellectual property rights, which is crucial for companies with innovative products or technologies.
The Global Startup Ecosystem Report by Startup Genome
If your business falls under the startup category, reviewing rankings for specific UAE cities like Dubai or Abu Dhabi can be helpful in understanding the available resources and support systems for startups.
The GSER doesn’t showcase information about Dubai yet but this report by Startup Genome provides a detailed analysis of Abu Dhabi ‘s startup ecosystem. It’s valuable for companies considering establishing a startup presence in the UAE.
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
The IMF publishes reports on the economies of individual countries, including the UAE. These reports offer in-depth analysis of the UAE’s economic health, fiscal policy, and future prospects. IMF reports can help companies assess the overall stability and growth potential of the UAE’s economy, which can impact business decisions like investment strategies.
Published by the GSMA, this report provides insights into the mobile communications industry in various countries, including the UAE. For businesses planning to leverage mobile technologies in the UAE, understanding mobile penetration rates, network coverage, and smartphone adoption trends can be crucial.
ITU World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators
The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) publishes data on information and communication technology (ICT) development in various countries. ITU’s data can help assess the UAE’s internet infrastructure, including broadband speeds and internet access costs, all relevant factors for businesses with a strong online presence.
International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) develops and publishes international standards for a wide range of products, services, and processes.
The UAE has adopted a significant number of ISO standards.Understanding the ISO standards adopted by the UAE can be relevant depending on your industry. For instance, if your company manufactures medical devices, you would need to comply with relevant ISO standards for those products.
References
- Global Competitiveness Report of the World Economic Forum | The Official Portal of the UAE Government
- Doing Business
- Worldwide Governance Indicators | DataBank
- United Arab Emirates | AGBI
- Global Gender Gap Report 2023 | World Economic Forum
- 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index: Explore the… – Transparency.org
- United Arab Emirates | Data
- About the OECD – OECD
- World Factbook Glyph
- WTO | United Arab Emirates – Member information
- Global Innovation Index (GII)
- Startup Genome
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) | The Epoch Times
- Smartphone Industry 2024
- World Telecommunication/ICT Indicators Database
- ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental management systems — Requirements with guidance for use