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UAE Leads Global Entrepreneurship Rankings For Fourth Year Running

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.

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.

Cyprus Emerges As A Leading Household Consumer In The European Union

Overview Of Eurostat Findings

A recent Eurostat survey, which adjusts real consumption per capita using purchasing power standards (PPS), has positioned Cyprus among the highest household consumers in the European Union. In 2024, Cyprus recorded a per capita expenditure of 21,879 PPS, a figure that underscores the country’s robust material well-being relative to other member states.

Comparative Consumption Analysis

Luxembourg claimed the top spot with an impressive 28,731 PPS per inhabitant. Trailing closely were Ireland (23,534 PPS), Belgium (23,437 PPS), Germany (23,333 PPS), Austria (23,094 PPS), the Netherlands (22,805 PPS), Denmark (22,078 PPS), and Italy (21,986 PPS), with Cyprus rounding out this elite group at 21,879 PPS. These figures not only highlight the high expenditure across these nations but also reflect differences in purchasing power and living standards across the region.

Contrasting Trends In Household Spending

The survey also shed light on countries with lower household spending levels. Hungary and Bulgaria reported the smallest average expenditures, at 14,621 PPS and 15,025 PPS respectively. Meanwhile, Greece and Portugal recorded 18,752 PPS and 19,328 PPS, respectively. Noteworthy figures from France (20,462 PPS), Finland (20,158 PPS), Lithuania (19,261 PPS), Malta (19,622 PPS), Slovenia (18,269 PPS), Slovakia (17,233 PPS), Latvia (16,461 PPS), Estonia (16,209 PPS), and the Czech Republic (16,757 PPS) further illustrate the disparate economic landscapes within the EU. Spain’s figure, however, was an outlier at 10,899 PPS, suggesting the need for further data clarification.

Growth Trends And Economic Implications

Eurostat’s longitudinal analysis from 2019 to 2024 revealed that Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania experienced the fastest annual increases in real consumer spending, each growing by at least 3.8%. In contrast, five member states, with the Czech Republic experiencing the largest drop at an average annual decline of 1.3%, indicate a varied economic recovery narrative across the continent.

This comprehensive survey not only provides valuable insights into current household consumption patterns but also offers a robust framework for policymakers and business leaders to understand economic shifts across the EU. Such data is integral for strategic decision-making in markets that are increasingly defined by evolving consumer behavior and regional economic resilience.

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