The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has seen a significant improvement in its ranking in the IMD World Talent Report, moving up five places to become the 17th most talent-competitive country globally. This places the Emirates ahead of advanced economies such as Canada, the US, France, and the UK. The UAE also ranked 12th in the appeal sub-index, indicating its strong appeal to professionals worldwide due to tax-free income and career opportunities. The country has been aggressively focusing on becoming a knowledge-based economy in the next decade.
In the readiness factor, the UAE made substantial progress, moving from third in 2020 to second in 2024 after falling to seventh in 2022. The country also continues to lead the Arab world in talent competitiveness. Minister of Economy, Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, emphasized the UAE government’s commitment to attracting top talent, supporting innovators, and expanding global investment partnerships.
Regionally, Kuwait slipped to 31st place, Saudi Arabia rose to 32nd, Bahrain fell to 40th, and Qatar to 42nd in the latest report. Globally, Switzerland, Singapore, and Luxembourg are the most talent-competitive countries.
Furthermore, the report highlighted a concerning trend where economies with high visibility of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace are experiencing an increase in discrimination. Countries such as Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, and Canada, which are high-income and early adopters of AI, are more likely to face disruptions and reap long-term benefits. However, rising discrimination levels could harm their ability to attract highly skilled talent, affecting talent retention and innovation.
José Caballero, a senior economist at the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, emphasized that discriminatory practices based on race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation hinder talent attraction and retention, ultimately impacting a country’s competitive edge.
In conclusion, the UAE’s rise in talent competitiveness reflects its commitment to nurturing a diverse and skilled workforce. With ongoing efforts to attract top talent, support innovation, and enhance global partnerships, the Emirates aims to solidify its position as a leading knowledge-based economy. However, the global trend of AI-driven discrimination poses a threat to talent retention and innovation, highlighting the importance of addressing inclusivity and diversity in the workplace. As the UAE continues to improve its talent competitiveness, it must also prioritize creating an inclusive work environment that values and respects all individuals, regardless of their backgrounds.
