In a significant milestone for its development journey, the United Arab Emirates has secured the ninth spot globally and the top position regionally in the 2025 edition of the Global Talent Competitiveness Report, issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne. The report evaluates 69 global economies on their ability to attract, develop, and retain talent. The UAE’s leap of eight positions from last year marks its debut in the global top 10.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the UAE has outperformed long-established leaders in talent development, including Austria, Canada, Finland, Germany, and Norway. This progress is a testament to the country’s forward-looking policies, robust business environment, and ability to attract global expertise across sectors.
A Comprehensive Talent Ecosystem
According to the report, the UAE achieved a score of 77.86 points and ranked in the top 10 across 15 key indicators. The country claimed the first position globally in five indicators, including:
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Low personal income tax
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Workforce growth
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Availability of global expertise
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Presence of highly qualified senior managers
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Inbound mobility of university students
Additionally, the UAE ranked first globally in the Readiness pillar, which assesses the availability of skills and competencies in the labor market. It also ranked 12th globally in the Appeal pillar, which evaluates a country’s ability to attract foreign talent, and jumped six places from last year in the Investment and Development pillar, focusing on nurturing national talent.
Global Recognition Across Indicators
The UAE’s excellence extended to several other global indicators, including:
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2nd place: High-skilled foreign labor and financial skills
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3rd place: Student-to-teacher ratio in secondary education, healthcare infrastructure, availability of skilled labor, and science graduates
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5th place: Primary and secondary education quality
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6th place: Vocational training programs
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8th place: Low brain drain and overall quality of life
These rankings underscore the UAE’s well-rounded approach to creating a talent-driven economy and its growing reputation as a global center for innovation, learning, and excellence.
Strategic Vision and Sustainable Growth
The Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre emphasized that this accomplishment is the direct result of the UAE’s visionary leadership and its unwavering focus on building a knowledge-based economy. By creating a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient environment, the UAE continues to attract and retain top global talent while empowering local competencies to thrive.
The report reinforces the UAE’s readiness to meet the demands of an ever-evolving labor market. Its advanced infrastructure, favorable policies, and quality of life have made it one of the most attractive destinations for professionals worldwide.
A Model for the Future
By entering the global top 10 for the first time, the UAE has proven the strength and adaptability of its national economy. Investing in human capital, cultivating national talent, and drawing international expertise are now cornerstones of its global competitiveness strategy.
This achievement is more than just a ranking—it’s a clear indication that the UAE is steadily advancing towards becoming the world’s leading destination for talent, driven by innovation, opportunity, and sustainability.
