Dubai: The Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), in collaboration with the World Governments Summit, has launched its fifth annual Global Economic Diversification Index (EDI) 2026 report. This report stands as the only global measure of national progress in creating resilient and diversified economies. The latest EDI highlights a global economic landscape increasingly influenced by major disruptions, including the need for a green transition and the transformative power of digitalisation.
According to Emirates News Agency, MBRSG's Executive President Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri remarked that the 2026 Global EDI does more than quantify diversification; it also sheds light on the shifts occurring in the global economy. Digitalisation is emerging as a central driver reshaping how nations construct resilient and diversified futures. The findings emphasize the urgent need for strategic investments in digital infrastructure and skills to ensure an inclusive and equitable transformation.
The report also notes the potential of AI to revolutionize countries' abilities to bypass traditional industrial stages and enhance export efficiency beyond physical goods. The UAE's significant progress, highlighted by its elevated Trade+ scores, exemplifies how visionary leadership can effectively utilize digital advancements to build a truly diversified and resilient future.
The EDI, a unique data-driven tool, measures economic diversification across 117 countries and evaluates 25 years of progress (2000-2024). It examines three critical dimensions: Output, Trade, and Government Revenue diversification, enabling governments to assess the success of their diversification policies and strategically navigate global disruptions.
The EDI 2026 identifies the United States, China, and Germany as leaders, with Western European nations dominating the top 20 ranks for the most diversified economies. Notably, India is emerging as the sole lower-middle-income country in the top 30.
The report strongly advocates for a multi-dimensional approach to diversification, focusing on digitalisation, green energy acceleration, regional integration, and strengthened fiscal sovereignty.
In the MENA region, economic diversification has significantly improved over the past 25 years, with the UAE and Bahrain achieving higher EDI scores among GCC countries and Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman making substantial gains.
The UAE, in particular, has shown remarkable progress, with its Trade+ scores improving significantly, indicating successful leveraging of digitalisation and digital economy sectors in its diversification efforts.
Dr. Fadi Salem, Director of Policy Research at MBRSG and co-author of the report, stated that the MBRSG designed the EDI to serve as a comprehensive policy tool, aiding governments in understanding and implementing successful diversification plans. In its 5th edition, the Global EDI has become an influential and universally established policy tool, officially utilized by international organizations such as United Nations agencies and by government institutions tasked with advancing economic diversification on national levels worldwide.