The Gulf Cooperation Council Statistical Center recently released a special report in celebration of the UAE’s 54th National Day, highlighting key social and economic indicators achieved by the United Arab Emirates.
According to the report, the UAE ranks first regionally and seventh globally in social cohesion, demonstrating the resilience of its social fabric.
The document noted that the UAE’s economic plans are on a clear trajectory, initiated by diversifying income sources, progressing towards building a knowledge-based economy, and ultimately leading in future sectors. It emphasized the launch of the UAE’s Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, positioning technology as a cornerstone for development, as well as adopting food and water security plans that extend to 2036 and 2051 to ensure sustainability. Additionally, smart cities are being developed in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Fujairah, aligned with horizontal plans up to 2040, alongside the expansion in technology, space, renewable energy, and advanced industries.
The UAE has made significant leaps in competitiveness indicators, achieving fifth place globally in overall competitiveness for 2025 and leading worldwide in 223 metrics according to the latest competitiveness reports. It is also among the top five countries globally in 444 indicators.
Moreover, the UAE secured the tenth spot globally in soft power and maintained its first position in global entrepreneurship for the fourth consecutive year.
The report highlighted that UAE sovereign wealth funds are among the strongest investment arms worldwide; they not only manage wealth but also play a strategic role in securing the future and bolstering economic strength.
It also pointed out that the UAE has transitioned from a smart government to an AI-driven society, achieving the top position globally in telecommunications infrastructure and second in AI readiness by 2025. The country completed its first government transaction using the “digital dirham,” marking an unprecedented historical milestone in the region, having digitized over 90% of government services, and ranking first globally in digital and technological skills.
Furthermore, the UAE has made substantial investments to be at the forefront of the global energy transition, allocating over 600 billion dirhams to renewable energy initiatives up to 2050. It has also adopted a national hydrogen strategy aimed at producing 15 million tons by 2050, achieving sixth place globally in talent supporting the green transition.
The report also noted that in just a few years, the UAE has emerged as an international and Arab space power. The Hope Probe successfully reached Mars, marking it as the first Arab mission to the red planet, and the country is working on the asteroid belt exploration project scheduled for 2028, as well as the Mars settlement project slated for 2117, which is among the largest future initiatives worldwide.