For the fourth consecutive year, the UAE has ranked first in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2024/2025, cementing its position as the top destination for entrepreneurship and SMEs among 56 economies.

Based on expert assessments of institutional frameworks supporting entrepreneurship, the country led high-income nations in 11 out of 13 key indicators. The UAE excelled in areas such as entrepreneurial finance, access to funding, government policies, entrepreneurship education, research and development, commercial infrastructure, market entry ease, and social and cultural support for entrepreneurship.

Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, commented, “This achievement reflects the results of the UAE’s forward-looking vision, supported by the guidance of its wise leadership, to build an integrated entrepreneurship and SME ecosystem.”

She added, “The UAE’s continued recognition as the top environment for entrepreneurship and the leading destination for startups globally for the fourth year in a row represents the country’s regional and international progress.”

The report also highlighted the UAE’s $8.7 billion investment in innovation and SME growth through the Projects of the 50 initiative. It credited the country’s 100% foreign ownership allowance and record-high foreign direct investment in 2023 as key drivers of its success.

It also highlighted the UAE’s strong entrepreneurial culture, with 67% of adults knowing an entrepreneur or believing they have the skills to start a business. Additionally, 70% of Emiratis see promising opportunities for local business creation, 78% of new entrepreneurs prioritize social and environmental impact over profit, and 75% of early-stage entrepreneurs plan to expand their teams.

The UAE also claimed the top spot in the GEM’s National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), further reinforcing its vision to support one million SMEs by 2031.