United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates ranks 50th of 193 countries in the GSCI 2026, with a score of 48.8. This is 78% of the best score (Sweden, 62.9) and places the United Arab Emirates in the 74th percentile, 3.5 points above the global average of 45.4.

The United Arab Emirates performs best in Social Capital (13th) and Intellectual Capital (35th), and weakest in Resource Efficiency (190th) and Natural Capital (174th). Its ranks in the other dimensions: Governance 36th, Economic Sustainability 47th.

The United Arab Emirates' GSCI score has improved by 4.9 points over the past ten years (2015–2025). Based on recent trends, the 10-year outlook is positive (+0.5 points).

The United Arab Emirates has a population of 10.9 million, 74% below the average country (41.5 million), and a population density of 110 people per km², 90% above the world average (58). Its GDP is $537.1 billion, 6% below the average country ($569.2 billion).

The United Arab Emirates' GDP per capita is $49,378, 3.6 times the world average of $13,684.

The Global Sustainable Competitiveness Index (GSCI) measures the sustainable competitiveness of 193 countries across six dimensions: Natural Capital, Resource Efficiency, Social Capital, Intellectual Capital, Economic Sustainability and Governance. It is based on 296 quantitative indicators from sources such as the World Bank, UN agencies and the IMF, with no surveys or opinions.