Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has ranked first globally for the role of its financial system in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), while rising to 21st place overall in the 2026 Global Financial Inclusion Index.
The UAE improved one position from 22nd in 2025, with its overall score increasing from 52.7 to 54.8, according to the index published by Principal Financial Group in collaboration with the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).
The country ranked first among 42 markets for the extent to which its financial system enables SME growth and success, scoring 96.4. It also placed fifth globally for general business confidence, with its ranking improving by one position year on year.
Within the employer support category, the UAE placed fourth for the provision of financial guidance and support, fifth for employer pay initiatives and ninth for employee insurance schemes.
The report also highlighted the country's performance in consumer perceptions of financial inclusion.
The UAE ranked fifth globally, with a score of 72.4%. Perceptions of government support reached 89.9%, placing the country second worldwide, while financial system support scored 82.9%, ranking fourth.
Charles Brooke, senior managing director and head of Middle East, Central Asia and Africa at Principal Asset Management, said the UAE and Saudi Arabia had combined digitisation with visible improvements in government and financial system support.
“The UAE’s number one global ranking for the financial system as an enabler of SME growth and success points to the strength of the financial ecosystem supporting businesses in the country.”
The UAE was also classified as a “Quantum Leaper” in the report's assessment of future fintech leaders, reflecting progress in digital financial infrastructure and its potential to make further gains in financial inclusion.
Globally, financial inclusion reached a record high in 2026, with the overall index score rising to 52 out of 100, its highest level since the index was launched in 2022.
However, consumer perceptions of financial inclusion declined to their lowest level on record, despite improvements in measured financial inclusion, highlighting a growing gap between available support and public expectations.
Employer support also weakened globally for the second consecutive year, falling 2.9 points to 65.7, with 83% of markets recording declines.
The index assesses 42 markets across three pillars: government support, financial system support and employer support, using public data and survey-based research.
