First regionally and 13th globally.. The UAE leads in human prosperity

The UAE topped the list of the most prosperous countries regionally, and ranked 13th globally, in the “Global Human Prosperity 2026” index issued by the American “CEO World” magazine, and in the highest category “Outstanding Prosperity,” with a score of 94.06 points.

The list included 193 countries, classified based on their efficiency in transforming their economic resources into tangible results that benefit humans, based on sub-indices such as quality of life, education, income, political stability, social cohesion and available opportunities, as well as job security and satisfaction with working life.

The magazine said that the most important competition in the global economy today does not lie in market share or GDP growth only, but also in something more fundamental: “Which countries are most suitable to live and work, and build a better life and future?”

Strategic lens for investors

The Global Human Prosperity Index highlights countries that have pursued a deliberate, decades-long strategy of investing in people as much as they invest in infrastructure or industry.

The classification serves as a strategic lens for sovereign wealth funds, CEOs, investors and decision-makers to develop strategies, assess risks, and identify societal and institutional strengths and quality. Noting the areas where talent, business headquarters, and high-value services are likely to be concentrated.

In this regard, the UAE has outperformed several countries, most notably Belgium, New Zealand, the United States of America, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Japan, and others, to emerge as one of the most important global centers capable of transforming economic resources into tangible results in quality of life, job opportunities, and stability.

On the other hand, Switzerland topped the CEO World ranking with 97.92 points, followed by Iceland with 97.81 points, and Australia with 97.7 points. In fourth place was Germany with 97.56 points, then the Netherlands was fifth with 97.3 points, Norway 97.28, Sweden 97.22, Hong Kong 96.98, Denmark 96.68, Singapore 96.41, Canada 95.25, Finland 95.2, and the UAE 94.06.

Competition in sectors

The American magazine stated in its report that the Global Human Prosperity Index also exerts a competitive influence within and between regions, and this influence is evident in several aspects:

1- Policy simulation: Governments compare their systems with neighboring countries in higher categories, especially in education reform, health care provision, and quality of governance.

2- The flow of talent: The migration of professionals, entrepreneurs, and students to elite countries and countries of very high prosperity is increasing, which increases the intensity of competition for skilled labor.

3- Corporate agglomeration: Sectors that rely on specialized human capital, such as technology, advanced manufacturing, finance, and life sciences, are likely to cluster in environments with a high global human prosperity index.