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 Global Economic Diversification Index report serves as the only global benchmark that measures national progress in building resilient, diversified economies, providing policymakers with critical insights into economic transformation and strategic development.
The EDI, a unique data-driven tool, quantifies economic diversification across 117 countries and assesses 25 years of progress (2000-2024). The latest Economic Diversification Index reveals a global economic landscape increasingly shaped by major disruptions, including the imperative for green transition and the transformative power of digitalization.
The report examines three critical dimensions, that provide governments with the ability to measure the success of their diversification policies and strategically navigate global disruptions, namely:
Output
Trade
Government Revenue diversification
The Global Economic Diversification Index 2026 shows that the United States, China, and Germany remain global leaders, while Western European nations dominate the top 20 most diversified economies.
Notably, India emerges as the only lower-middle-income country in the top 30, highlighting its rapid economic progress. The report calls for a multi-dimensional approach to diversification, stressing the importance of digitalization, green energy, regional integration, and stronger fiscal sovereignty.
In the MENA region, economic diversification has advanced significantly over the past 25 years. The UAE and Bahrain lead among GCC countries, while Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman have also made substantial gains. The UAE stands out, with marked improvement in Trade+ scores, reflecting its effective use of digitalization and the digital economy to drive resilient, diversified growth.
HE Dr. Ali bin Sebaa Al Marri Executive President – MBRSG
“The 2026 Global Global Economic Diversification Index not only quantifies diversification but also illuminates the shifts underway in the global economy. Digitalization is now a central driver reshaping how nations build resilient and diversified futures. Our findings underscore the urgent need for strategic investments in digital infrastructure and skills to ensure this transformation is inclusive and equitable. The report also reveals how AI can be a gamechanger for countries to leapfrog traditional industrial stages and export efficiency, not just physical goods. The UAE’s exemplary progress, underscored by its elevated Trade+ scores, serves as a testament to how visionary leadership can effectively harness digital advancements to build a truly diversified and resilient future.”
Dr. Fadi Salem, Director of Policy Research at MBRSG and co-author of the report, stated that, “The MBRSG designed the Global Economic Diversification Index to serve as a comprehensive policy tool, aiding governments in understanding and implementing successful diversification plans. In its 5th edition, the Global EDI is now an influential and universally-established policy tool, utilized officially by international organizations, such as United Nations agencies and by government institutions tasked with advancing economic diversification on national levels worldwide”.
