UAE Ranks First Globally for Entrepreneurship for Fourth Consecutive Year in GEM Report 2024-25
Dubai, The Gulf Observer: The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has retained its position as the global leader in entrepreneurship for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025.
The report, which assesses 56 economies globally, ranked the UAE as the best place for entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The country secured the top position among high-income nations in 11 out of 13 key indicators that evaluate the institutional frameworks supporting entrepreneurial growth.
Key areas where the UAE excelled globally include:
- Entrepreneurial finance
- Ease of access to funding
- Government policies supporting entrepreneurship
- Taxation and bureaucracy
- Entrepreneurship education at school and post-school levels
- Research and development transfer
- Commercial and professional infrastructure
- Ease of market entry
- Social and cultural norms related to entrepreneurship
Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, highlighted that this achievement is a result of the UAE’s visionary leadership. The continued recognition reflects the country’s success in creating an integrated entrepreneurship and SME ecosystem. She noted that the UAE’s global position as the leading destination for startups shows regional and international progress.
The UAE’s growth in the entrepreneurial environment is attributed to business-friendly policies, government initiatives, and a competitive investment climate. The country invested $8.7 billion in boosting innovation and SMEs as part of the Projects of the 50 initiative. The report also pointed out the 100% foreign ownership allowance and the record levels of foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023.
The report also highlighted the entrepreneurial culture in the UAE, where 67% of adults know an entrepreneur or feel they possess the skills to start a business. Furthermore, 70% of Emiratis see business opportunities locally, and 78% of new entrepreneurs prioritize social and environmental impacts.
Additionally, 80% of entrepreneurs intend to integrate digital technology into their businesses, 78% are motivated to generate wealth, and 55% serve customers outside the UAE, further solidifying the country’s standing as a global hub for business and investment.
Finally, the UAE also ranked first globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), which measures each country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, supporting the UAE’s goal to reach one million SMEs by 2031.
