UAE Claims Historic Spot in Global Top 10 for Executive Talent
The UAE has achieved an unprecedented milestone by breaking into the top 10 of the 2025 IMD World Talent Ranking. The country’s leap from 17th to 9th position among 69 countries stands as the fastest improvement in the ranking’s history.
Recent UAE updates reveal the country’s impressive score of 77.86 in this prestigious index. This remarkable achievement puts the UAE among global leaders like Switzerland (first), Luxembourg (second), and Iceland (third). The nation’s talent pool proves exceptionally well-prepared to meet worldwide business needs, as shown by its top global position in workforce readiness [-4].
The UAE leads globally in labor force growth and executive availability. The country’s position in skilled labor availability has improved substantially, moving from sixth to third place. This historic ranking showcases UAE’s commitment to building a competitive talent ecosystem that attracts, develops and retains top executives and skilled professionals worldwide.
UAE climbs to 9th in IMD World Talent Ranking
Image Source: The World Economic Forum
The United Arab Emirates has reached a remarkable milestone in the 2025 IMD World Talent Ranking. The nation now stands as a premier destination for global talent. UAE’s dramatic rise from 17th to 9th place marks the fastest improvement in the ranking’s history. This achievement puts UAE among talent powerhouses like Switzerland, Luxembourg, Iceland, and Hong Kong.
Fastest rise in ranking history
UAE’s eight-position jump in one year shows how well its strategic talent development initiatives work. This achievement stands out even more because of the thorough methodology the IMD World Competitiveness Center uses to analyze 31 distinct data points across 69 global economies. UAE scored 77.86 in the 2025 index, which secured its spot among the world’s top talent destinations.
“The UAE has been making amazing progress in overall competitiveness,” said Arturo Bris, Director of the World Competitiveness Center and Professor of Finance at IMD, during the report’s launch in Lausanne, Switzerland. He pointed out that strong skill-to-jobs matching played a key role in the country’s stellar performance.
UAE’s success comes from its exceptional performance in specific areas. The country jumped from 13th position to second for finance skills. UAE also moved up from sixth to third position globally for skilled labor availability.
UAE leads the Middle East region, which emerged as the fastest-growing area in talent competitiveness this year. This leadership shows how UAE serves as a model for talent development across the Arab world.
Significance of breaking into global top 10
UAE’s entry into the top 10 makes it a strong competitor in the global talent race. This milestone shapes the nation’s economic future, as talent competitiveness is a vital factor in long-term economic success.
“What this means is that… UAE companies have been investing much more in developing their talent, so the perception for executives is that the talent pool quality has increased,” Mr. Bris explained in an interview. He emphasized that UAE’s ranking tells global investors and companies that the country is “the right place to be because companies can find the talent… because the system is responsive to new needs”.
The ranking highlights UAE’s exceptional adaptability to new workforce needs—experts value this quality more than just having available talent. Bris noted, “There is a lot of adaptability of the UAE to new needs in the labor force and that’s even more important”.
UAE also attracts “large numbers” of international students, setting itself apart with “a highly competitive private sector and outstanding academic achievement”. These factors show the country’s appeal and offer valuable insights for other nations looking to improve their talent competitiveness.
This achievement carries special weight in today’s world of geopolitical instability, inflation, and rising living costs, which affect how willing executives are to relocate internationally. UAE’s appeal to global talent gives it a crucial advantage that will help drive its economic diversification and growth.
IMD explains how countries are ranked
The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) uses a detailed methodology to assess how economies develop, attract, and retain talent for long-term economic growth. Their 2025 assessment looked at 69 economies worldwide. They combined statistical indicators with executive survey responses to create a multi-dimensional approach.
Three pillars: Readiness, Appeal, Investment & Development
IMD’s talent ranking framework looks at competitiveness through three equally weighted factors. Each factor contributes one-third to the final score:
- Investment and Development – This factor shows a country’s dedication to growing domestic talent. It measures public education spending, pupil-teacher ratios, and apprenticeship programs. UAE’s recent education infrastructure investments have shown great results in this category.
- Appeal – This measures how well an economy attracts and keeps both local and international talent. Living costs, life quality, pay levels, and tax policies are the key metrics. Countries that score high typically provide good living conditions and competitive pay packages.
- Readiness – The quality and availability of skills in the talent pool determine this score. Labor force growth, work experience, management skills, language abilities, and STEM graduate numbers all matter here. UAE ranks first globally in readiness because it provides skilled workers that businesses just need.
Countries with balanced scores across all three pillars rank highest. They don’t rely too much on just one strength. Small nations with smart talent development plans often do better than bigger countries that have more resources but less efficient systems.
Survey and data methodology
IMD’s method uses two types of data: statistical indicators (hard data) and executive perception surveys (soft data). The 2025 ranking gathered 170 statistical criteria from various organizations. These made up two-thirds of the overall assessment weight.
IMD also ran a large online survey between February and May 2025. They got responses from 6,162 executives worldwide. These executives scored competitiveness issues from 1 to 6. Their answers were then converted to a standard 0-10 scale.
Survey results added 92 criteria to the final assessment, making up about one-third of the total weight. Executives listed five main factors that affect their relocation choices: financial benefits, political stability, business climate, infrastructure, and cultural fit.
IMD used the Standard Deviation Method to compare economies fairly. This method calculates relative differences between economies. It subtracts the average value of all 69 economies from each economy’s original value and divides by the standard deviation.
The results show a complete picture of talent competitiveness that goes beyond basic workforce numbers. They reveal how well economies build educational systems, create attractive environments, and prepare talent for future challenges. UAE’s strong performance, especially in readiness, shows how smart talent development policies can boost a nation’s global standing faster.
UAE ranks first globally in workforce readiness
The UAE has achieved something remarkable in the IMD World Talent Ranking by securing the top position globally for workforce readiness. This outstanding ranking shows UAE’s talent pool ranks best in the world at meeting business needs. The country’s economic development strategy has reached a milestone that puts it ahead globally in talent preparedness.
Skilled labor availability
UAE’s skilled labor market has shown impressive growth lately. The country jumped from sixth to third place globally in this key area. This success stems from creating an environment that draws and develops top professionals in many sectors.
The UAE job market has also reached first place in several key competitive areas:
- Labor Force Growth (World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025)
- Employment Rate (World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025)
- Employment Growth (World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025)
- Skilled Labor (World Competitiveness Yearbook 2025)
Companies in the Emirates now have access to one of the world’s most responsive talent pools. “What this means is that… UAE companies have been investing much more in developing their talent, so the perception for executives is that the talent pool quality has increased,” said Arturo Bris, director of the IMD’s World Competitive Center.
Executive experience and education outcomes
UAE stands out with its exceptional performance in executive competence. The country ranks first globally for available competent senior managers. They’ve also topped rankings in talent attractiveness, digital skills, talent retention, and finding skilled employees.
Quality education serves as the life-blood of this success. The IMD ranking emphasizes UAE’s “world-class education arranged with market needs” as a key factor in leading workforce readiness. UAE scored highest globally for skilled senior managers and international experience.
Executive education in the Emirates has become a global magnet. Leading universities now see UAE as offering “a landscape that blends live economic experimentation with long-range policy planning”. Experts describe this unique setting as “a propulsive research environment” that makes executive education relevant and adaptable.
Arturo Bris believes this ranking sends a clear message to global investors and companies. UAE is “the right place to be because companies can find the talent… because the system is responsive to new needs”. He noted that “there is a lot of adaptability of the UAE to new needs in the labor force and that’s even more important”.
These workforce achievements carry significant economic impact. APEC UAE forecasts suggest the country’s approach will keep supporting talent development while maintaining economic growth at around 5% yearly through 2025.
Government reforms drive talent competitiveness
Image Source: Virtuzone
The UAE has become a global talent hub thanks to smart government reforms that have dramatically improved its talent competitiveness rankings. These complete initiatives use innovative visa programs and modern labor markets to meet current workforce needs and future economic goals.
Golden visa and residency programs
The UAE’s 4-year old Golden Visa program stands as the life-blood of the nation’s talent strategy. This long-term residence visa lets foreign talents live and work in the Emirates with unique benefits. Visa holders can get six-month multiple-entry visas, work without sponsors, and stay outside the UAE longer than the usual six-month limit.
The program lets visa holders sponsor any number of domestic helpers and family members. Family members can even keep their residency if the main visa holder passes away. Dubai alone issued 158,000 Golden Visas in 2023, with investors getting 40% and other high-value categories receiving 60%.
The UAE keeps expanding who can qualify based on what the economy needs. The program started with investors and property owners but now includes doctors, scientists, creative professionals, outstanding students, and talents from cultural sectors. Skilled professionals need a UAE job in management or professional roles, a bachelor’s degree, and must earn at least AED 30,000 monthly.
Labor market liberalization and legal reforms
The UAE has made big changes to its labor market that work alongside its visa programs. The 2022 UAE Labor Law brought a fundamental change by making flexible work arrangements legal. This includes part-time jobs, temporary projects, remote work, and job-sharing models.
Traditional employment structures didn’t allow much flexibility before these changes. The government has created standard employment contracts with clear terms. They also spelled out notice periods for leaving jobs and set rules for severance pay based on how long someone worked.
These reforms create a fairer workplace through policies that ensure equal chances for everyone, whatever their gender, nationality, or disability. The government also requires insurance coverage for workplace accidents and illnesses through Federal Decree-Law No. 7 of 2022.
These changes go beyond just visas and labor policies. The UAE introduced broad social reforms in November 2020 to create a more secular and open environment. They strengthened laws against harassing women, made alcohol consumption legal, and let expatriates use their home country’s laws for divorce and inheritance.
Talent competition keeps changing rapidly, so UAE policymakers balance long-term plans with quick adjustments. These coordinated reforms have freed employment from old sponsorship rules. They offer the flexibility that today’s post-pandemic workplace needs while making the UAE more attractive globally.
Education system aligns with market needs
Image Source: MarkNtel Advisors
The UAE’s education system has undergone a complete transformation that serves as the life-blood of the nation’s competitive talent strategy. Educational offerings that line up with what companies just need have pushed the Emirates higher in global talent rankings. This creates a natural connection between schools and industry requirements.
Focus on STEM and executive training
The UAE’s National Strategy for Higher Education 2030 wants to give future generations technical and practical skills they need to accelerate economic growth in both public and private sectors. Four key pillars support this strategy: quality, efficiency, innovation, and harmonization, along with 33 key initiatives.
STEM education takes center stage with several programs that build skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The STEM Ambassadors Program stands out as it targets students aged 14-18 years who focus on aerospace engineering and sustainable aviation. Dubai now has a dedicated STEM Lab, set up by Boeing and Amideast/UAE, which serves as the country’s educational hub.
Students can access extensive executive training through programs like the Expanded Professional Experience, which offers career training, job shadowing, and vocational instruction. The “Education 33” Strategy, launched in October 2024, aims to revolutionize learning with a high-quality, student-focused model that embraces technology.
Educational institutions quickly adapt to industry needs. Data shows that 40% of companies struggle to find skilled talent for technical roles. Schools now focus on practical, job-ready skills through apprenticeships and targeted upskilling programs.
International student mobility and academic standards
The UAE has become a regional education powerhouse with an impressive 48.6% inbound mobility ratio – one of the highest worldwide. About 77,463 international students pursue degrees here, with Indian students making up the largest group at 17%.
The country hosts 60 respected international university campuses that generate millions in foreign currency. Virtual learning continues to grow at 10.3% yearly. More than 60% of schools and universities now use online learning platforms.
Dubai’s government helps this growth with student-friendly visa policies. Foreign students can work part-time with certain employers since 2016. Top performers can get 10-year residency visas, while others might qualify for five-year stays.
Experts say this integrated approach to education has created “a propulsive research environment.” Executive education remains relevant and adapts quickly to market demands.
UAE attracts global executives with lifestyle and incentives
Image Source: DMCC
“All in all, we observe the emergence of a new type of employee that has been educated in one country, lives in another, and works for a company located in a third country.” — Arturo Bris, Director, IMD World Competitiveness Center
Global executives rank the UAE as their top choice for international relocation. Their attention is drawn to a unique mix of money-saving perks and lifestyle benefits. Lifestyle stands out as the main reason for 36% of people who moved to the UAE—more than any other global market in the survey.
Tax-free income and high quality of life
The UAE’s zero personal income tax policy pulls in top talent from around the world. This tax-free environment lets you send all your profits back home. You’ll save much more money compared to other financial hubs. Dubai and Abu Dhabi rank among the world’s most tax-friendly cities. Executives can keep more of what they earn without taxes eating into their pay.
The Emirates gives you what many call it a unique quality of life. The country sits at seventh place globally as the best country for expatriates. Almost one in five expatriates—19%—want to stay here forever. People feel safe here, as the UAE has one of the world’s lowest crime rates.
Hatem ElSafty, chief executive at Business Link, says that “the country offers a high standard of living, coupled with luxurious amenities, making it an attractive destination for both personal and professional pursuits”. Survey results back this up. The UAE scores highest for better earnings (36%), making money stretch further (37%), and green living conditions (30%).
Family stability and healthcare infrastructure
Family stability matters a lot if you have plans to move internationally. The UAE gets this right with full residency reforms. Children under parental sponsorship can now stay until age 25. Families of Golden Residency holders get longer-term residency options.
The UAE’s healthcare system makes it even more appealing to global executives. The country has a modern, advanced healthcare sector. It ranked among the top 10 most efficient healthcare systems globally in 2018. Medical facilities use cutting-edge equipment with skilled doctors and surgeons from across the globe. Private sector costs stay high though.
All expatriates must have health insurance. Abu Dhabi employers need to cover both employees and their families. Dubai employers only need to cover the employee. All the same, this strong healthcare system improves family stability—34% of expatriates who move to the UAE say this is their main reason.
Private sector innovation boosts talent demand
Image Source: Quest Search and Selection
The UAE’s private sector is stepping up their search for executive talent. Competition between 20-year old multinationals and a growing startup ecosystem has heated up. Companies now look beyond traditional pay models to attract the best talent.
Startups and multinationals seek skilled professionals
AI startups in the UAE have become major players in talent acquisition. They raised more than AED 4.77 billion in venture capital in 2024 alone. Funding should grow by 25% in 2025. The Dubai Future Foundation and Abu Dhabi’s Hub71 have changed the UAE into one of the region’s fastest-growing AI startup ecosystems.
The UAE startup ecosystem faces a major talent shortage in niche sectors like AI and technology. This gap creates challenges and opportunities. Companies now develop skill-building programs to prepare tomorrow’s entrepreneurs and tech professionals.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Riyadh have become centers for venture capital and state-of-the-art technology. Tech startups have received foreign direct investment that created thousands of new jobs for software developers, product managers, and digital marketers.
Incentives like signing bonuses and wellness packages
Technical role salaries face upward pressure. Professionals who change jobs often see 10-15% higher pay. Base salary is no longer the only factor that matters.
UAE employers use bonuses to attract talent. Statistics show bonus offerings jumped 35% in 2023 compared to 2022. Emirates airline gave employees 20 weeks’ worth of bonus, and FlyDubai offered 22 weeks’ pay.
These incentives come in different forms:
- Monthly or quarterly commissions for recruitment companies
- End-of-year bonuses based on company earnings
- Signing bonuses for new hires
- Six-month retention bonuses
Bonus discussions start as early as the second interview in recruitment processes. Companies have updated their bonus structures. Younger employees prefer immediate, tangible rewards over long-term incentives.
The UAE’s approach to talent acquisition shows its position as a top destination. Global professionals can find career growth and an exceptional quality of life here.
UAE outperforms regional peers in talent metrics
The UAE has become the life-blood of talent development in the Middle East. The country leads its regional neighbors by wide margins in global competitiveness measurements.
Comparison with Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait
The UAE’s 9th place global ranking sets it apart from other countries in the region. Oman ranks second among Middle Eastern countries at 27th position. Kuwait moved up three places to 28th. Qatar showed the most important regional progress with a 13-position jump to 29th. Saudi Arabia’s economy is the largest in the Arab world, yet it moved up just one spot to 31st.
Bahrain dropped two positions to 42nd. Jordan moved up three spots to 46th. Turkey slipped eight places to 65th. The gap between UAE and other Gulf nations proves UAE’s unique strategy works better to develop talent.
Middle East’s growing competitiveness
Recent uae update news confirms that the region continues to build momentum in talent metrics. The UAE leads the Arab region in the IMD World Talent Ranking (2022), placing 21st globally. The country then made its historic jump to 9th place in 2025.
Gulf Cooperation Council countries work to broaden their economies beyond petroleum. This creates a need for specialized professionals. Saudi Arabia expects to face a shortage of 663,000 high-skilled workers by 2030. This drives competition for talent across the region. Apec uae projections indicate this regional talent ecosystem will continue to propel development through 2025.
Economic growth supports talent ecosystem
UAE’s reliable economic performance builds the foundation for its talent ecosystem success. This creates a positive cycle where growth brings in skills that accelerate expansion.
3.9% GDP growth in Q1 2025
UAE’s economy showed remarkable momentum at the start of 2025. Real GDP grew by 3.9% in the first quarter. The total economic value reached AED 455 billion (approximately $124 billion). Non-oil activities made up 77.3% of real GDP—marking the highest contribution in the country’s history. This transformation shows successful economic diversification beyond petroleum dependence.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, emphasized that these figures demonstrate “the strength and flexibility of the UAE economy”. UAE’s economic growth will surpass global averages throughout 2025. Predictions range from 4.1% by the World Bank to 5.1% by the IMF.
Correlation between economic health and talent appeal
Economic strength directly boosts talent competitiveness. UAE aims to triple its GDP to AED 3 trillion through its “We the Emirates 2031” vision. Skilled human capital plays a crucial role in this journey. Foreign talents bring fresh points of view that spark creativity when combined with local expertise.
UAE’s economic diversification turned out to be a soaring win for attracting international investors. The country secured second place globally for new FDI projects, with 1,323 new ventures showing a 33% increase from 2022.
UAE sets long-term vision for innovation leadership
The UAE launched its ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision last year to build a knowledge-based economy. This detailed national development plan shapes the nation’s social, economic, investment and development aspects to make it an influential global economic hub.
Knowledge economy goals for 2031
The vision sets bold economic targets. The country plans to double its GDP from AED 1.49 trillion to AED 3 trillion and generate AED 800 billion in non-oil exports. The plan will raise tourism’s GDP contribution to AED 450 billion and boost UAE’s foreign trade value to AED 4 trillion.
The nation builds strong foundations to support knowledge-based and future-focused sectors. Major investments flow into artificial intelligence, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and cognitive sciences. The Ministry of Economy launched a ‘Knowledge and Innovation Hub’ that works with 18 universities and research institutions to improve economic policy development.
Role of APEC UAE and global partnerships
The UAE ended up becoming a global hub that attracts top minds, ideas, and talent by providing exceptional business opportunities and reliable infrastructure. The Talent Attraction and Retention Committee deploys national strategic direction to support knowledge economy development.
UAE’s innovation investments span across global collaboration frameworks. The country positions itself as a neutral diplomatic partner and maintains strong ties with both Western and Eastern tech partners.
UAE has achieved something remarkable – breaking into the global top 10 for executive talent competitiveness. This breakthrough represents a defining moment in the nation’s economic strategy. The country now ranks among talent powerhouses and outperforms its regional neighbors by a lot.
The success story stems from several well-planned initiatives. UAE ranks first in workforce readiness, labor force growth, and availability of competent executives. These rankings prove the success of carefully chosen policies. Golden Visa programs, labor market reforms, and social changes have made Emirates a top choice for global professionals.
Education has become the life-blood of talent development instead of just academic training. Students graduate ready for the market thanks to world-class STEM education and executive training programs. The country also attracts international students at record-breaking rates.
Global executives find an irresistible package of tax-free income and exceptional quality of life. Reliable healthcare infrastructure and family-friendly policies make the deal even more attractive by addressing lifestyle needs.
Private sector companies, from multinational corporations to local startups, compete intensely for skilled professionals. They create innovative incentive packages that go beyond traditional salaries. This competition for talent makes the ecosystem stronger as organizations invest heavily in workforce development.
Economic diversification provides a sustainable foundation for the talent ecosystem. Non-oil sector’s record contribution to GDP creates a positive cycle – economic growth attracts skilled professionals who drive further expansion.
“We the UAE 2031” vision sets ambitious knowledge economy goals that depend on excellence in talent development and attraction. The plan to triple GDP while generating AED 800 billion in non-oil exports relies completely on human capital excellence.
UAE’s historic talent ranking shows more than just better numbers – it reveals a fundamental economic shift. Countries worldwide now study Emirates’ approach to improve their own talent competitiveness in challenging global markets.
