United Arab Emirates Elevates Globally in Competitiveness, Safety, and Innovation during Q1 of 2025
UAE Shines Globally: A Q1 2025 Progress Report
In the first quarter of 2025, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) continued its impressive ascent on the global stage, posting significant improvements in various key areas.
The UAE's safety remains a standout, as it was ranked the second safest country in the world according to Numbeo's 2025 Safety Index. This achievement is supported by strict laws, advanced surveillance, and AI-powered policing.
The UAE's economic competitiveness also saw a boost, with the M&A sector in the UAE experiencing a surge in transaction values over 1,100% year-on-year in Q1 2025. This growth indicates increased investor confidence and economic vitality in the region.
Innovation and entrepreneurship are at the heart of the UAE's growth strategy. The Emirates Global Aluminium's "EGA Ramp-Up" program, which offers mentorship and training to UAE entrepreneurs, is a testament to the country's commitment to fostering a knowledge-based and sustainable economy.
The UAE's global influence and appeal are further underscored by its passport power. The UAE passport jumped significantly to rank 8th globally in the Henley Passport Index 2025, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries. This marked a historic leap with the UAE showing the largest climb ever over 10 years and being the only Middle Eastern country in the top 10.
The UAE's success in the World Happiness Report is also noteworthy. The country's high GDP per capita, social support, and life satisfaction contributed to its strong performance in the 2025 World Happiness Report, placing it 21st globally. Moreover, the UAE led the Arab world and surpassed nations like the US, UK, and France in the same report.
The UAE's logistics sector also thrived, with the country leading in the Gulf in the 2025 Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index. This is due to its robust digital infrastructure, international trade capabilities, and focus on sustainability. The UAE ranked third globally in the same index, further highlighting its logistics prowess.
The UAE's national brand value surged to $1.223 trillion in the 2025 Global Soft Power Index, underscoring its rising international reputation. The country also ranked 4th in "Future Growth Potential" and 7th for its "Strong and Stable Economy" in the same index.
Lastly, the UAE topped the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report for the fourth consecutive year, ranking first among 56 economies. The UAE led 11 of 13 key indicators for high-income countries in the GEM report, demonstrating its leadership in government support for entrepreneurship, access to funding, R&D transfer, and integration of entrepreneurship into education.
These rankings further highlight the success of the UAE's long-term strategy focused on innovation, safety, and global competitiveness. The UAE's impressive performance in Q1 2025 underscores its commitment to continued growth and its growing influence on the global stage.
- The UAE's commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship extends to education, as it ranks first globally in integrating entrepreneurship into its educational system, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) report.
- In line with its focus on sustainability, the government of the UAE is also investing in education for a greener future, aiming to produce graduates equipped with the skills needed for the transition towards a sustainable economy.
- The surge in trade values and the jump in the UAE passport power rankings also reflect positively on the UAE's finance sector, suggesting a strong economy ready for international financial partnerships.
- The UAE's logistics sector is not only focusing on sustainability but also supporting the growth of local sports, with state-of-the-art facilities promoting sports innovation and attracting major sports events, much to the delight of sports enthusiasts.
- As the UAE continues its ascent on the global stage, the government is also working towards creating a comprehensive safety network in the future, with plans for AI-powered emergency response systems aimed at providing added safety and security for citizens and visitors alike.
