ABU DHABI: The UAE has entered the world’s top 25 most innovative economies for the first time, ranking 25th among 139 economies in the 2026 Global Innovation Index published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).
The UAE improved its position by five places compared with last year, when it ranked 30th globally, highlighting its continued progress in innovation, entrepreneurship, research and technology.
The country ranked first globally in four indicators: entrepreneurship policies and culture, attracting international students, funding for start-ups and scale-ups, and new investment in research and development and innovative technologies.
The UAE also secured positions among the world’s top eight economies across six sub-categories of the index.
It ranked first globally in higher education, reflecting its strong performance in the education and skills ecosystem. The country ranked second in the business environment, fifth in public infrastructure and knowledge assimilation, seventh in information and communication, and eighth in credit.
The latest ranking reflects the UAE’s growing focus on creating an environment that supports innovation, attracts talent and encourages investment in emerging technologies.
Its improved position in the Global Innovation Index also highlights the country’s efforts to strengthen research and development, support entrepreneurs and scale-ups, and expand its technology and knowledge-based economy.
The UAE’s entry into the top 25 marks a new milestone in its efforts to establish itself as a leading global hub for innovation and advanced technologies.
