The UAE has climbed five spots to secure the 17th position among the most talent-competitive countries globally, surpassing several advanced economies including Canada, the US, France, and the UK, according to the IMD World Talent Report released on Thursday.
The Emirates also improved its ranking in the appeal sub-index, rising four positions to 12th place, reflecting its ability to attract overseas talent. This demonstrates the UAE's strong appeal to professionals worldwide, largely due to its tax-free income and abundant career opportunities.
In the 'readiness' category, the UAE saw notable advancements, moving from third place in 2020 to second in 2024, after a temporary dip to seventh in 2022. The UAE continues to dominate the Arab world in the 2024 World Talent Report.
The country is actively pursuing a transformation into a knowledge and innovation-driven economy over the next decade. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy, emphasized the UAE government's commitment to attracting top talent, supporting innovators, and expanding global investment partnerships.
Regionally, Kuwait dropped three places to 31st, Saudi Arabia moved up four spots to 32nd, Bahrain fell 13 positions to 40th, and Qatar ranked 42nd, losing 12 places in the latest report. Globally, Switzerland, Singapore, and Luxembourg lead as the most talent-competitive countries.
The report also highlighted that economies where AI is most prevalent in the workplace are experiencing increased discrimination. Higher-income countries like Japan, Thailand, Singapore, the UK, and Canada are more likely to face early disruptions but also stand to gain long-term benefits from AI.
"Rising discrimination levels could undermine economies' appeal to highly skilled overseas staff, even if other factors are favorable," the report noted. "Discriminatory practices, whether based on race, gender, age, disability, or sexual orientation, will not aid in attracting and retaining talent. Moreover, attracting and retaining highly skilled talent is crucial for fostering innovation and maintaining an economy's competitive edge," said José Caballero, senior economist at the IMD World Competitiveness Centre.
