Dubai advances to seventh place in the Global Financial Centers Index and records the highest ranking of its kind in its history

The Emirate of Dubai recorded its highest ranking ever in the Global Financial Centers Index (GFCI), advancing to seventh place globally, which reflects the accelerating pace of its rise as one of the most influential financial centers in the world, and reinforces its solid position within the international financial system.

This achievement represents an important step for the Emirate of Dubai in its journey towards achieving its ambitious goals to become one of the four best global financial centers by 2033, in line with the objectives of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, which aims to enhance the emirate’s role as a global center for finance, investment and innovation.

This classification is the highest of its kind for a financial center in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia, while the emirate continues to stand out as the only center from the region on the list of the top 20 global financial centres, which confirms its regional leadership and international competitiveness.

This achievement highlights the continued momentum witnessed by the financial sector in the emirate, driven by the continued expansion and global influence of the Dubai International Financial Centre, which continues to consolidate its position as an integrated financial destination.

This classification also places Dubai among the most prominent global financial centers such as London, New York, and Singapore, making it the only financial center from the region within this elite, while the emirate maintained its position as one of ten global leading cities in the sector, and topped the list of financial centers expected to increase in importance in the future.

His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and President of the Dubai International Financial Centre, said that Dubai, under the leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” continues to consolidate its position as one of the most competitive and future-ready global financial centers, enhancing its growing role in shaping the future of the global financial sector.

His Highness added that Dubai’s advancement to seventh place in the Global Financial Centers Index classification reflects the strength of our economic vision and the confidence of the international financial community in our system, and we will continue to accelerate our efforts to make Dubai among the top four global financial centers by 2033 in line with the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

He stressed that Dubai is moving steadily towards greater strength and leadership, based on a proactive vision that creates the future and does not wait for it, and a flexible development approach that enhances its readiness for various changes, confirms its ability to transform challenges into opportunities, and continues to strengthen its position as a leading global center for business, investment and innovation.

This index, produced by the leading London-based consultancy and think tank Z/Yen Group, is considered the world’s most reliable standard for the competitiveness of financial centers, as it evaluates 137 financial centers worldwide using 135 key factors and data collected from more than 34,000 evaluations conducted by financial services professionals around the world.

Dubai’s rise in the rankings reflects the breadth and depth of the financial system in Dubai, of which the Dubai International Financial Center represents a core hub and pillar.

The center is the largest and most comprehensive financial district in the region, and a recognized global center linking the markets of Asia, Europe and the Americas.

The Dubai International Financial Center has witnessed record growth in recent years, attracting leading financial institutions, global investors, and innovative technology companies.

It currently includes more than 9,000 active companies, including the largest global banks, asset management companies, hedge funds, insurance companies, and professional services firms, and a workforce of more than 50,000 professionals.

For the first time, participants in opinion polls from various sectors ranked Dubai among the top 15 cities in all the sectors included in the evaluation, making it the only city in the region that enjoys a distinguished position within this prestigious group.

The banking services sector ranked fourteenth, while the finance, investment management, and insurance sectors ranked among the top ten sectors, and the financial technology, government and regulatory regulations, professional services, and trading sectors also emerged among the top five sectors.

Dubai was also recognized as the only financial center in the region to be ranked among the top 10 cities in terms of global competitiveness in the business environment, financial sector development, human capital and infrastructure.

His Excellency Issa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Center, said that the remarkable progress made by Dubai in the Global Financial Centers Index represents a distinguished achievement that confirms the emirate’s ambitious vision and its growing influence on the international financial arena, as the Dubai International Financial Center has a global infrastructure and an advanced regulatory environment, which makes us continue our efforts to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global financial center in the region, attracting the best financial institutions, innovators and talents.

For his part, His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of the DIFC Authority, said that Dubai’s rapid rise in the Global Financial Centers Index reflects the exceptional momentum of the DIFC system, as our strategy focuses on enhancing innovation, attracting leading global financial institutions, and creating an enabling environment and climate for the growth and prosperity of companies, and as we continue to expand our platforms, whether in the field of financial technology, capital markets, wealth management, or insurance, the DIFC will contribute a pioneering role in achieving Dubai’s ambition to Become one of the top four financial centers in the world.

The Global Financial Centers Index rankings reflect Dubai’s influence as a global bridge linking East and West, enabling capital flows, talent transfer, and accelerating the pace of innovation across international markets.

The Dubai International Financial Center operates according to a reliable, world-class legal and regulatory framework, and includes the largest regulated financial system with more than 1,050 companies, and a rapidly expanding innovation environment through the “Innovation Hub” in the Dubai International Financial Center and “Camps Dubai for Artificial Intelligence”, which contributes to strengthening Dubai’s position among the leading financial capitals in the world.

As the emirate moves forward towards achieving the goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, the latest classification of the Global Financial Centers Index highlights the strong momentum that will continue to enhance Dubai’s global financial leadership in the coming years.