For the first time, the UAE has secured a spot among the world’s top 25 most innovative economies, according to the 2026 Global Innovation Index (GII) released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation. Climbing five positions from its 2025 ranking, the nation now sits at 25th out of 139 countries. This achievement is underscored by a number-one global ranking in key areas such as startup funding, the cultivation of entrepreneurship, the attraction of international talent, and strategic investments in advanced technology.

Economy Minister Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri attributed this success to the UAE’s focused efforts on building a robust, knowledge-based economy aligned with the “We the UAE 2031” vision. The country’s performance was particularly strong in sectors like high-tech exports, mobile app development, and brand value, where UAE-based brands saw their total value reach $101.66 billion. By outperforming both regional and high-income economy averages across multiple pillars, the UAE continues to solidify its reputation as a premier global hub for creators and innovative business ventures.