Dubai, Abu Dhabi lead global talent entry rankings, reveals report

In a significant boost for the region’s economic landscape, Dubai and Abu Dhabi have been ranked first globally in ease of entry for foreign talent, according to Kearney’s annual Global Cities Index (GCI).

For the fourth consecutive year, Dubai ranked 24th globally, maintaining its leading position in the MENA region.

The latest report highlights a stable performance across Middle Eastern cities, particularly in the ‘business activity’ dimension, where Dammam made notable strides with a 19-rank increase, fueled by a 71 per cent growth in its services sector.

Kearney’s Global Cities Report analyses the connectivity and global influence of major metropolitan areas through the GCI and Global Cities Outlook (GCO). The report measures cities across five dimensions: Human Capital, Information Exchange, Cultural Experience, Political Engagement, and Business Activity.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi excel in new metric

Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi excelled in the newly introduced ease of entry metric, a reflection of their progressive immigration policies aimed at fostering talent influx. Meanwhile, Riyadh also improved its rankings, particularly regarding its unicorn companies.

Rudolph Lohmeyer, partner at Kearney’s National Transformations Institute, noted, “Our analysis reveals a new form of globalisation — more distributed and networked, yet uncertain. Middle Eastern cities have the opportunity to leverage their strategic positions, robust economies, and attractive immigration policies to spur economic growth.”

Global Cities Outlook: Highlights

The GCO identifies cities poised for future global prominence, emphasising the importance of security, stability, and environmental resilience.

Despite challenges such as global trade tensions and a decline in foreign direct investment (FDI), cities like Dubai, Makkah, and Muscat have maintained their innovative edge, demonstrating growth in private investments and patent generation.

Dubai’s innovation ranking improved by 10 positions, while Makkah and Muscat saw rises of 8 and 11 ranks, respectively, largely driven by favourable private investment conditions and low interest rates.

Looking ahead, cities are increasingly addressing the dual challenges of economic growth and climate change. Kearney emphasises a “regenerative approach” to urban development, advocating for proactive, system-oriented solutions to environmental issues. Sascha Treppte, Kearney Partner, stated, “Cities must build institutional capabilities to holistically tackle the challenges of today and tomorrow, benefiting all stakeholders.”

As Dubai and Abu Dhabi continue to lead in attracting global talent, their focus on innovation and sustainability positions them as vital players in an evolving economic landscape.

Read: UAE jumps 10 places in global FDI confidence index