The UAE has joined the world’s top 30 most innovative countries in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2025, highlighting its visionary progress in entrepreneurship, technology, and development.
Global Leaders in Innovation
The Global Innovation Index 2025, published by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), ranked Switzerland, Sweden, and the United States as the top three most innovative countries. The UAE entered the global top 30 for the first time, alongside other regional leaders such as Cyprus (25th) and Türkiye (43rd).
Daren Tang, WIPO Director General, emphasized that countries advancing fastest in the GII are those “that view innovation as a fundamental engine of resilience, growth and competitiveness.”
UAE’s Innovation Strengths
The UAE’s climb reflects its strong business environment, ICT access and use, and policy support for innovation ecosystems. Its progress underscores national agendas such as We the UAE 2031 and Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda, which prioritize R&D, entrepreneurship, and digital transformation.
The ranking places the UAE among the innovation elite, strengthening its appeal as a hub for startups, investors, and high-tech industries.
Regional and Global Context
Across Northern Africa and Western Asia, 14 economies improved their rankings, with Morocco (57th), Bahrain (62nd), and Jordan (65th) among the fastest risers. Meanwhile, innovation powerhouses in Asia such as Korea (4th), Singapore (5th), and China (10th) continued their strong performance.
Europe also maintained its dominance, with 15 economies in the global top 25, while North America remained the highest-performing region overall.
Looking Ahead
Despite slowing global R&D growth — projected at just 2.3% in 2025 — the UAE’s rise signals resilience and forward-thinking investments. By fostering collaboration across public and private sectors, the Emirates is building a sustainable innovation ecosystem to fuel future growth.
