Dubai has entered the world’s top 50 cities for the first time, ranking 42nd globally in the 2026 Global Cities Index published by Oxford Economics. The emirate climbed nine places from the previous year, reflecting its growing influence on the global economic stage and its ability to attract talent, businesses and international investment.
The index assesses 1,000 cities worldwide across five key dimensions: economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance, providing a comprehensive measure of urban competitiveness.
While Dubai’s rise highlights its strengthening global standing, Abu Dhabi ranked sixth worldwide in the human capital category and 84th overall. The UAE capital is the second Emirati city to feature among the world’s top 100 cities.
The results underscore the strong international competitiveness of both Dubai and Abu Dhabi and reinforce their positions as leading global centres for talent, investment and economic growth.
