الإمارات تحتل المرتبة الأولى عالمياً في ريادة الأعمال للعام الخامس على التوالي
UAE Dominates Global Entrepreneurship Rankings Once Again
The UAE has ranked first globally for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2026/2026, maintaining its position as one of the world's most supportive environments for startups and entrepreneurs. The country outperformed several advanced economies and remained the top country for starting and operating new businesses.
First Place in 8 Key Indicators
Among high-income economies, the UAE ranked first in eight major indicators that define a world-class entrepreneurial ecosystem:
- Physical Infrastructure — world-class connectivity, logistics, and digital infrastructure
- Government Policies (Support & Relevance) — proactive policies that directly empower founders
- Tax & Bureaucracy Policies — streamlined regulations and competitive tax environment
- Government Entrepreneurship Programmes — comprehensive incubators, accelerators, and funding
- Research & Development Transfer — strong university-to-market innovation pipelines
- Ease of Market Entry (Dynamics) — low barriers for new market entrants
- Ease of Entry (Regulatory Burdens) — simplified licensing and company formation
- Entrepreneurial Education — integrated entrepreneurship curricula at all levels
Finance & Funding Access
The UAE also ranked second globally in both entrepreneurial finance and ease of access to funding, highlighting the strength and flexibility of its financial system. This confirms the readiness of the UAE's economic environment to empower startups and enhance their opportunities for growth and expansion.
A Score of 7.0 in NECI
The country posted strong results in the quality of its entrepreneurship environment, achieving a score of 7.0 in GEM's National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) for 2026. This index measures the quality of a country's entrepreneurial environment based on expert assessments. The UAE was among only four countries globally that reached the "sufficiency" level across all entrepreneurship framework conditions.
Leading in AI & Sustainability
According to the report, the UAE is among only six countries globally where entrepreneurs agree that artificial intelligence will be critical over the next three years. It received an "excellent" rating in sustainability and AI awareness alongside Taiwan, Norway, and Sweden — placing the UAE in elite company when it comes to future-readiness.
Strong Business Activity
Business activity in the UAE remained exceptionally high, with more than 20% of adults involved in starting new businesses. The Total Early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate reached 19.2%, while entrepreneurial activity stood at 19.6% among citizens and 22.4% among residents. The UAE also ranked among the top five countries globally for "international access," reflecting startups' ability to reach external markets through strong infrastructure and logistics.
What This Means for Entrepreneurs
For anyone considering launching a business, the GEM report confirms what many founders already know: the UAE offers an unmatched combination of infrastructure, funding access, regulatory ease, and government support. Whether you're an Emirati citizen with a startup idea or an international entrepreneur looking for the best place to scale, the UAE's ecosystem is designed to help you succeed.
📊 Source: Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2026/2026 — Read the full report on Entrepreneur Middle East →