Dubai has reached its highest position to date in the Global Financial Centres Index, climbing to seventh place globally. The ranking underscores its accelerating rise as a major force in international finance.

The milestone marks significant progress toward the emirate’s ambition to rank among the world’s top four financial centres by 2033, a goal set under the Dubai Economic Agenda D33. The agenda aims to position Dubai as a leading global hub for finance, investment, and innovation, according to Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Dubai’s latest ranking is also the strongest ever recorded by a financial centre across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia region, reinforcing its status as the only regional player consistently featured among the global top 20.

The performance reflects sustained momentum across the emirate’s financial ecosystem, driven largely by the continued growth of the Dubai International Financial Centre. The DIFC has evolved into a comprehensive hub connecting markets across Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Dubai now stands alongside leading global financial centres such as London, New York City, and Singapore. It also remains among a select group of cities recognised as global leaders in financial services and is ranked as the top centre expected to gain further prominence.

“Guided by the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai continues to build one of the most competitive and future-ready financial hubs in the world, underscoring its growing role in shaping the future of global finance,” said Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and President of DIFC.

He added, “Dubai’s rise to seventh place in the Global Financial Centres Index reflects the strength of our economic vision and the confidence the international financial community places in our ecosystem. Through the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, we are accelerating our efforts to position Dubai among the world’s top four global financial centres by 2033.”

The index, produced by London-based think tank Z/Yen Group, is widely regarded as a benchmark for financial competitiveness. It evaluates 137 financial centres using 135 indicators and insights from more than 34,000 industry assessments.

Dubai’s ascent highlights the scale and depth of its financial ecosystem, anchored by DIFC, which has seen record growth in recent years. The centre now hosts more than 9,000 active companies, including global banks, asset managers, insurers, and fintech firms, and employs over 50,000 professionals.

For the first time, Dubai ranked within the top 15 across all evaluated financial sectors, with strong performance in finance, investment management, and insurance. Fintech, regulation, and professional services have also advanced into the global top five.

Dubai also stands out as the only regional financial centre ranked in the global top 10 for business environment, financial sector development, human capital, and infrastructure, further strengthening its competitiveness on the global stage.

Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, described the achievement as a milestone that reflects Dubai’s expanding global influence. He noted that the centre’s infrastructure and regulatory framework continue to attract leading institutions, talent, and innovators.

Meanwhile, Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, said the ranking reflects strong momentum across the ecosystem, driven by a strategy focused on innovation, global partnerships, and sector diversification across fintech, capital markets, wealth management, and insurance.

As Dubai strengthens its role as a financial bridge between East and West by facilitating capital flows, talent mobility, and innovation, the latest ranking signals growing confidence in its long-term trajectory.

With a robust legal framework, a rapidly expanding innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the DIFC Innovation Hub and Dubai AI Campus, and continued progress under the D33 agenda, Dubai is steadily advancing its position among the world’s leading financial capitals.