UAE enters the global top 10 in the IMD Government Support Index
The UAE has risen six places to 10th globally in the Government Support Index of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, meeting its target for the year, and holds 2nd place for public finance.
On 22 October 2026, the UAE Ministry of Finance announced that the UAE has risen to 10th place worldwide in the 2026 Government Support Index of the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook. This is a six-place rise from 16th globally in 2025, and it meets the UAE's target of entering the global top 10 for this indicator in 2026.
The result adds to the UAE's wider performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, in which the country ranked 5th overall among 70 economies and 1st globally for economic performance.
The key facts
- Government Support Index: 10th globally in 2026, up from 16th in 2025. The index measures the value of government support as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP).
- Indicator value: the UAE's value fell to 0.43% in 2026 from 0.55% in 2025.
- Other fiscal rankings in 2026: 2nd in the Public Finance Index, 3rd in the Budget Surplus/Deficit Indicator, 7th in the General Government Expenditure Index and 4th in the Government Efficiency Index.
- Overall competitiveness: 5th globally out of 70 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, and 1st globally for economic performance.
- Next phase: the Ministry of Finance says the UAE aims to consolidate its position among the world's top 10 in this indicator.
H.E. Mohamed bin Hadi Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs, said the rise to 10th place "demonstrates the resilience of the UAE's economic and fiscal system".
Why it matters for international clients
Founders, investors and families choosing where to base a business or hold assets look closely at the strength of a country's public finances. Top-ranked positions for public finance, budget balance and government efficiency, published by an independent institution such as IMD in Lausanne, give a clear external benchmark when comparing the UAE with other jurisdictions.
For those relocating from Europe, North America, Australia, Russia and the CIS, these rankings sit alongside the practical reasons for choosing the UAE: a federal corporate tax regime with clear rules, free zone options, a wide network of tax treaties and long-term residence routes.
What to do
- If you are comparing the UAE with other locations for a holding company, operating business or family office, review how UAE corporate tax will apply to your structure from the start. See our corporate tax and international tax services, and our guides on a UAE holding company and a UAE family office.
- If you are ready to establish a presence, compare free zone and mainland options. Our guide on free zone or mainland is a useful starting point, and our company setup service covers the full process.
- If you are moving personally, plan your exit from your current country of tax residence and your UAE residence. See our moving to Dubai checklist and the full list of country guides.
Sources
- UAE Ministry of Finance: UAE Breaks into Global Top 10 in IMD's 2026 Government Support Index (22 October 2026)
- Gulf News: UAE ranks 1st globally in economic performance, 5th in overall competitiveness in IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026
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