UAE tops Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Report

The United Arab Emirates has once again been named the top country in the world for entrepreneurship, maintaining its number one position for the fourth year in a row, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025.

The report evaluated 56 global economies and ranked the UAE as the best environment for entrepreneurship and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. It highlighted the country's continued leadership in fostering a robust and forward-thinking entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Among high-income countries, the UAE claimed the top spot in 11 out of 13 key indicators. These included areas such as entrepreneurial finance, ease of access to funding, government support for entrepreneurship, taxation and bureaucracy policies, entrepreneurship programmes, education at both school and post-school levels, research and development transfer, commercial infrastructure, market entry conditions and cultural attitudes towards entrepreneurship.

Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, said that this achievement reflects the success of the UAE’s long-term vision and the direction set by its leadership. She noted that the ranking reaffirms the country’s status as a global destination for startups and innovation and a leader in building a supportive environment for entrepreneurs.

According to Al Mazrouei, the recognition demonstrates the UAE’s efforts to create a climate that aligns with global best practices, promotes digital and knowledge-based economic sectors, and supports entrepreneurs with financing initiatives. She added that this aligns with the national objectives in the “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to position the country as a global hub for the new economy.

The report highlighted the UAE’s business-friendly policies and investment climate, supported by government initiatives and a culture that values innovation. A major driver of this progress is the UAE’s investment of $8.7 billion as part of the “Projects of the 50” initiative, aimed at fostering innovation and supporting SMEs. The country’s policy allowing 100 per cent foreign ownership and its record-breaking levels of foreign direct investment in 2023 were also recognized as key contributors.

The entrepreneurial spirit in the UAE is marked by strong public engagement. Many of the population is aware of entrepreneurial opportunities and confident in their ability to start a business. Many new entrepreneurs in the UAE are driven by the desire to make a social or environmental impact, with a majority planning to expand their teams and integrate digital technologies into their operations. A substantial number also serve customers internationally, reinforcing the UAE’s global role in business.

In addition to its overall first-place ranking, the UAE also topped the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) compiled by GEM. This index evaluates the supportiveness of a country’s environment for entrepreneurship based on expert assessments across various institutional dimensions.

The UAE’s consistent performance in the GEM report illustrates its leadership in fostering innovation, empowering startups, and shaping an inclusive and sustainable economic future. The country remains firmly on track to meet its goal of hosting one million SMEs by 2031.