The UAE has made significant strides in global talent competitiveness, jumping five places to rank 17th in the 2024 IMD World Talent Report, outperforming advanced economies like the US, UK, Canada, and France. The country’s appeal to international professionals is attributed to tax-free income and a wealth of career opportunities, cementing its position as a top destination for global talent.
In the report’s “appeal” sub-index, the UAE rose four positions to claim the 12th spot, highlighting its ability to tap into the global talent pool. Additionally, the Emirates made remarkable progress in the “readiness” category, advancing to second place after a previous decline in 2022.
The UAE has solidified its leadership within the Arab world, continuing its goal to build a knowledge and innovation-based economy. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, the UAE Minister of Economy, emphasized the government’s commitment to attracting top talent, supporting innovation, and strengthening global investment partnerships.
On the regional front, Saudi Arabia climbed four positions to 32nd, while Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar saw declines in their rankings.
Globally, Switzerland, Singapore, and Luxembourg topped the rankings as the world’s most talent-competitive nations.
However, the report also raised concerns about rising discrimination in economies where AI adoption is prominent, such as Japan, Singapore, the UK, and Canada. As AI becomes more integrated into the workplace, economies could face talent retention issues due to exclusionary practices, potentially undermining their global competitiveness.
The IMD report underscores the critical role of inclusivity in attracting and retaining talent, urging economies to focus on fostering diverse, innovative environments to stay ahead in the global race for talent.
