With 96.4 points in the 2026 Global Financial Inclusion Index, the UAE was ranked #1 in the world for how well its financial system fosters the expansion and prosperity of small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Based on assistance from employers, governments, and financial systems, 42 markets are ranked in the index, which was created by Principal Financial Group in collaboration with the Center for Economics and Business Research (Cebr). In the total financial inclusion index, the United Arab Emirates came in at number 21.
The UAE’s top ranking for the financial system’s contribution to SME growth and success, according to Charles Brooke, Senior Managing Director and Head of Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa at Principal Asset Management, shows how well the nation’s financial ecosystem supports businesses. With a score of 68.5, which is higher than the global average of 65.7, the UAE ranked eighth in the world for employer support. The nation was placed fourth in the world for employer-sponsored insurance plans, fifth for workplace pay efforts, and fourth for financial advice and assistance.
By evaluating the importance placed on fintech and digital financial infrastructure, this year’s study also looked at markets that have the potential to lead the financial technology industry in the future. Measurable goals, budgetary commitments, plans for execution, digital public infrastructure, and the use of AI in financial services were all included in the analysis. The overall score increased to 52 out of 100 in 2026, the highest level since the index’s inception, marking a record high for global financial inclusion. According to the research, financial system support emerged as the largest driver of change, and digitalisation hastened the advancement of financial inclusion.
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