UAE Breaks into the Top 25 Economies in the Global Innovation Index
DUBAI - The United Arab Emirates has entered the world’s top 25 innovation economies for the first time, soaring to 25th place out of 139 economies in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2026, released by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO). This milestone highlights the UAE’s expanding commitment to research, development, and innovation-led growth.
The UAE also excelled in specific innovation indicators, ranking first globally in four key areas: entrepreneurship policies and culture, attracting international students, financing for startups and scale-ups, and new investments in research, development, and advanced technologies.
The country performed strongly across technology, business, and creative sectors as well. It ranked sixth globally for commercial trademark value, with the value of commercial trademark exports among the top 5,000 global brands reaching USD 101.66 billion. The UAE also ranked seventh for mobile app creation, ninth for creative goods exports, and 13th for high-tech exports. These results underscore the growing global strength of UAE-based brands and the country’s transition toward a more innovation-driven economy.
In recent years, the UAE has invested heavily in science and technology parks, incubators, and accelerator programs, alongside regulatory reforms designed to make it easier to launch and operate startups. This emphasis on digital transformation, renewable energy research, advanced manufacturing, and intellectual property is creating steady opportunities for local founders and global partners alike.
The UAE’s strong performance in both innovation inputs and commercially valuable brands reflects its broader ambition to build a knowledge-based economy with globally competitive companies. With more than USD 101 billion in commercial trademark value among the world’s top brands, the country is increasingly translating its investment in innovation into tangible global economic value, reinforcing its position as a premier regional hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and advanced technology.