The UAE has maintained its position as the most competitive Arab economy between 2019-2022, according to the Arab Monetary Fund’s (AMF) latest Arab Economic Competitiveness Index (pdf). The UAE was able to secure its spot thanks to high rankings in both macroeconomic and investment appeal.

The methodology: The AMF’s Arab economies competitiveness report assesses and ranks the competitiveness of the market and economies of 17 Arab countries every year, using the average figures of four years. The report comprises two broad indices, namely the investment attractiveness index and the macro-economy index (covering 18 sub-indices).

How our peers performed: Qatar is ranked second out of Arab nations, followed by Saudi, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Globally, the UAE ranked as third most competitive, following Singapore and South Korea.

With regards to real economic performance, the UAE ranked first in the inflation index compared to other Arab countries, with an average 0.2% rate, and second in the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) index with an average per capita GDP of approximately USD 70.9k. The economy ranked third in terms of GDP growth amounting to 1.9% and ranked among the top nine countries in the manufacturing contribution to GDP sub-index.

We’re also the most attractive investment destination in the Arab world,according to the report. Topping all of the subindices, ranking first in economic freedom, infrastructure and good governance among all of the Arab countries. Qatar secured the second spot among the Arab countries, followed by Oman.

On the Arab macroeconomic indicator, we tied with Saudi Arabia for second place, coming in behind Qatar (which topped the ranking), and one spot ahead of Kuwait (which ranked fourth in this indicator).

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