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UAE Leads Global Entrepreneurship Rankings For Fourth Year Running

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

April 4, 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again cemented its position as the world’s premier destination for entrepreneurs, securing the top spot in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) Report 2025. For the fourth consecutive year, the UAE outperformed 56 economies, ranking first among high-income nations across 11 of 13 key indicators.

A Global Leader In Entrepreneurship

The report highlights the UAE’s unparalleled business environment, crediting its leadership in entrepreneurial finance, access to funding, pro-business government policies, and regulatory ease. Additionally, the country excelled in fostering an innovation-driven economy through government-backed entrepreneurship programs, education initiatives, and research and development (R&D) support. The nation’s commercial infrastructure and cultural support for entrepreneurship further reinforce its dominance on the global stage.

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Alia bint Abdullah Al Mazrouei, UAE Minister of State for Entrepreneurship, emphasized that this achievement reflects the country’s long-term vision and leadership’s commitment to nurturing a thriving startup ecosystem. “Our continued top ranking reaffirms the UAE’s position as the leading global hub for entrepreneurship and SME growth,” she stated.

Driving Innovation And Investment

The UAE’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurship is evident in its robust policies and financial incentives. The government has invested $8.7 billion to support innovation and SME growth under the ‘Projects of the 50’ initiative. Additionally, the introduction of 100% foreign ownership laws and a record surge in foreign direct investment in 2023 have solidified the country’s appeal to global entrepreneurs and investors.

Entrepreneurial Mindset And Ambition

Beyond policy and investment, the UAE’s entrepreneurial culture continues to thrive. According to the report, 67% of UAE adults personally know an entrepreneur or believe they have the skills to launch a business. Furthermore, 70% of Emiratis see strong business opportunities, while 78% of new entrepreneurs prioritize social and environmental impact alongside profitability.

Startups in the UAE are scaling aggressively, with 75% of early-stage entrepreneurs planning to expand their workforce to at least six employees within five years. The adoption of digital technology is also a priority, with 80% of startups integrating tech into their operations. Additionally, 55% of entrepreneurs are focused on international markets, reinforcing the UAE’s role as a global business hub.

Vision 2031: A Blueprint For Growth

The UAE’s entrepreneurial success aligns with its ambitious “We the UAE 2031” vision, which aims to establish one million SMEs by the next decade. The country’s ranking as the world’s top entrepreneurial ecosystem under the GEM’s National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI) further underscores its commitment to fostering innovation, investment, and business growth at every level.

With its unmatched infrastructure, forward-thinking policies, and strong investor confidence, the UAE is not just a leader in entrepreneurship—it’s setting the standard for the future of global business.

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Cyprus’ Strong Youth Employment Rate Still Does Not Guarantee Early Independence

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 16, 2026

Young people in Cyprus have a relatively high employment rate, but they leave the parental home later than the EU average, according to Eurostat data.

Cypriots left home at an average age of 27 in 2025, compared with 26.3 years across the EU. At the same time, 72.3% of people aged 20 to 29 in Cyprus were employed, well above the EU average of 65.5%.

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Strong Employment Does Not Mean Early Independence

Only nine countries recorded higher youth employment rates than Cyprus. Iceland led at 85.3%, followed by the Netherlands at 84%, Malta at 82.1%, Switzerland at 78.3% and Germany at 77%.

Norway recorded 76.5%, Ireland 76.1%, Denmark 74.8% and Austria 74.6%. Eurostat said countries where young people leave home earlier generally tend to have higher youth employment rates.

Southern Europe Sees Later Moves

Finland had the lowest average age for leaving the parental home at 21.4 years, followed by Denmark at 21.8 and Estonia and Lithuania at 22.7. Croatia recorded the highest average at 31.5 years, followed by Greece and Slovakia at 30.9. Spain and Italy both stood at 30.2 years.

Across the EU, the average has remained close to 26 since 2002, rising only slightly from 26.2 years in 2024 to 26.3 years in 2025.

Cyprus Labour Market Is Cooling

The figures come as Cyprus’ labor market shows some signs of easing, although demand for workers remains relatively strong by European standards.

Separate Eurostat data showed Cyprus had the EU’s largest annual decline in its job vacancy rate in the second quarter of 2026. The rate fell to 2.6% from 3.3% a year earlier, but remained above the EU average of 2.0% and the euro area average of 2.1%.

Cost Of Living Remains A Factor

Housing and other living costs can also affect how quickly young workers establish independent households. Eurostat reported that Cyprus’ household consumption price level was 89.2% of the EU average in 2025.

A relatively lower overall price level does not eliminate affordability pressures for people on modest incomes. For younger workers, the issue can be whether wages are sufficient to cover rent, utilities, food and other basic expenses.

Cyprus therefore combines relatively high youth employment with a later transition to independent living, suggesting that access to work and the ability to afford a separate household do not always move together.