GCC States Show Strong Performance in Global Competitiveness Rankings
According to GCC-Stat, the results reflect the economic and institutional performance of GCC countries across multiple areas of development.
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Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries ranked among the world’s top performers across several competitiveness indicators in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, according to data released by the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat).
According to GCC-Stat, the results reflect the economic and institutional performance of GCC countries across multiple areas of development.
The UAE led GCC countries, ranking first globally in both the International Trade indicator and the Economic Performance factor, according to the report. It also ranked fifth among the 70 economies evaluated, with an overall score of 94.1%.
Qatar ranked second globally in the Labor Market indicator under the Business Efficiency factor and ranked 11th overall, while Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the Basic Infrastructure indicator under the Infrastructure factor and 13th overall.
Bahrain, which ranked 20th overall, placed third in the Price Stability indicator under the Economic Performance factor.
Kuwait placed third in the Public Finance indicator, while Oman ranked sixth in the Tax Policy indicator, both under the Government Efficiency factor, ranking 31st and 26th overall, respectively.
Published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 benchmarks 70 economies across 341 criteria covering economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
Related: GCC Promotes Five Industrial Opportunities to Reduce Imports, Strengthen Regional Manufacturing
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries ranked among the world’s top performers across several competitiveness indicators in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, according to data released by the GCC Statistical Center (GCC-Stat).
According to GCC-Stat, the results reflect the economic and institutional performance of GCC countries across multiple areas of development.
The UAE led GCC countries, ranking first globally in both the International Trade indicator and the Economic Performance factor, according to the report. It also ranked fifth among the 70 economies evaluated, with an overall score of 94.1%.
Qatar ranked second globally in the Labor Market indicator under the Business Efficiency factor and ranked 11th overall, while Saudi Arabia ranked third globally in the Basic Infrastructure indicator under the Infrastructure factor and 13th overall.
Bahrain, which ranked 20th overall, placed third in the Price Stability indicator under the Economic Performance factor.
Kuwait placed third in the Public Finance indicator, while Oman ranked sixth in the Tax Policy indicator, both under the Government Efficiency factor, ranking 31st and 26th overall, respectively.
Published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 benchmarks 70 economies across 341 criteria covering economic performance, government efficiency, business efficiency, and infrastructure.
Related: GCC Promotes Five Industrial Opportunities to Reduce Imports, Strengthen Regional Manufacturing
