UAE leaps six places to break into top 10 of IMD Government Support Index, meets 2026 goal
The United Arab Emirates has vaulted six positions to secure 10th place globally in the Government Support Index of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, achieving its target for the year ahead of schedule. The index measures the value of government support as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), reflecting the extent of state backing for economic activity.
Advance in overall competitiveness
In the broader IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, the UAE climbed from 16th place in 2025 to 10th overall. The ranking evaluates economies based on a wide range of factors including economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency and infrastructure.
Strong fiscal indicators
Within the yearbook’s detailed breakdown, the UAE maintained its second-place position in Public Finance, came third in Budget Surplus and ranked seventh in Public Spending. These results underscore the country’s disciplined fiscal management and its ability to sustain budgetary surpluses while allocating resources effectively.
Methodology and significance
The Government Support Index, a key component of the overall competitiveness assessment, quantifies government assistance relative to GDP. The achievement places the UAE among the top 10 nations globally in this metric, reflecting consistent policy efforts to bolster economic resilience and public-private collaboration.
