The United Arab Emirates has officially secured the top spot among Arab nations in the latest PISA 2025 rankings, marking a significant upward trend in science, mathematics, and reading proficiency. While global academic performance has largely seen a decline, the UAE stands out as one of only eight countries globally to achieve marked improvements across all three core subjects. Specifically, students saw their scores climb by 26 points in science, 21 in mathematics, and 15 in reading. Dubai played a pivotal role in this success, consistently outperforming both the national and OECD averages, which underscores the effectiveness of the country’s ongoing educational reforms and its focus on high-quality instruction.

This success is largely attributed to the UAE's strategic integration of AI and digital literacy into the school curriculum. With over 81% of students reporting they have been trained to evaluate AI-generated information—well above the global average—the country is proving its commitment to preparing youth for a technology-driven future. Minister of Education Sarah Al Amiri noted that these results are a testament to the dedication of teachers, the ambition of students, and a national commitment to fostering critical thinking. By combining rigorous professional development for staff with a modernized approach to classroom technology, the UAE is effectively bridging the gap between traditional academics and the evolving demands of the modern world.