UAE ranks among global top 10 in Soft Power Index, excels in generosity and economic growth

Dubai: The United Arab Emirates has consolidated its position among the world’s top ten most influential nations for the fourth consecutive year, according to the 2026 Global Soft Power Index.

The rankings, compiled by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, place the UAE 10th globally, making it the only Arab nation to feature in the top tier. The results were unveiled at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, during a summit attended by senior international figures, including the former Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau.

The index, which evaluates 193 countries based on a survey of more than 150,000 respondents, suggests that the UAE has successfully insulated its international reputation from the "declining levels of trust" affecting several traditional global powers.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, noted the country’s specific strengths in economic stability and international aid.

"The United Arab Emirates ranked tenth globally in the overall index, second globally in generosity, third globally in future economic growth potential, and eighth globally in influence within international diplomatic circles," Sheikh Mohammed wrote on his X account.

He added that under the leadership of the President, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, "the world’s respect for our development model deepens, and international confidence continues to rise in our economic, social, and global system built steadily over the past five decades."

The report highlighted significant gains for the UAE in several sub-sectors. Notably, the country moved to 3rd place globally for being "easy to do business in and with," and climbed to 8th for "advanced technology and innovation." The Emirates also secured 10th place for its investments in space exploration.

Analysts at Brand Finance noted that while many major economies saw their scores stagnate, the UAE recorded improvements in "global visibility" and "international reputation." The findings pointed to the impact of the country's cultural diplomacy and its role as a "global hub" for trade and investment.

The index also ranked the UAE 11th globally for its "internationally admired government leaders," a metric that tracks public perception of governance and stability.

The UAE’s consistent performance in the 2026 edition of the index highlights its ability to maintain a careful balance between economic growth, openness to the world, and internal stability. This comes at a time when the international system is undergoing profound transformations that are reshaping the global landscape of influence and power.