UAE ranks first in ME and 10th globally in Soft Power Index-2024

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE was ranked first in the Middle East and tenth globally, with a score of 57.7 points in the 2024 Soft Power Index. This placed the country ahead of major countries such as Spain, Sweden, Australia, the Netherlands, South Korea and Sweden.

The Global Soft Power Index is based on extensive and comprehensive research, a survey of more than 170,000 individuals in over 100 countries, and an evaluation of 193 national brands from around the globe.

This year, the value of the UAE' national brand has exceeded one trillion dollars, representing an increase from the 2023 figure of $957 billion.

In the sub-rankings of the index, the UAE was placed the 8th globally in terms of influence, a measure that assesses the degree to which a country exerts influence at the national level and on the global scale.

In terms of global reputation, the UAE ranked the 16th, reflecting a strong and positive image. However, in terms of national brand familiarity, the country ranked the 38th. This ranking concerns national brands that are widely recognized and possess considerable soft power.

In other secondary standards tracked by the rankings, the UAE ranked the 9th in the International Relations category, which assesses the influence of the diplomatic community and the quality of relations between countries. It was placed the 10th in the Trade and Business category, which assesses the strength and stability of the local economy, the ease of doing business in the country, and the future growth prospects of the economy.

The UAE was ranked the 11th in the category of Media and Communication, which measures the influence and reliability of the media. Additionally, the country was ranked the 14th globally in Governance, which measures the influence of leaders on the global stage, political stability, good governance, security and safety, transparency, and perceptions of corruption.

In the domain of education and knowledge, the UAE was ranked the 16th. This standard measures the country's leadership in technology, innovation and investment in space exploration. Moreover, the UAE was ranked the 17th in sustainability and investment in green energy, technology and environmental protection.

The report indicated that the UAE has been endeavoring to enhance the influence of its soft power through the implementation of robust and sustainable strategies, including the hosting of Expo 2020, the COP28 climate conference, and high-profile tourism and economic initiatives.

The report pointed that the GCC countries are undergoing a surge in influence and reputation, thereby fortifying their alliances with major countries and becoming a formidable entity in business and trade. Consequently, the UAE garnered a perfect score and the top position globally in the "Strong and Stable Economy" criterion this year.

The United States was the highest-ranking country in the global rankings, with a score of 78.8 points. The United Kingdom was the next highest-ranking country, with a score of 71.8 points. China was the third country, with a score of 71.2 points. Japan was the fourth country, with a score of 70.6 points. Germany was the fifth country, with a score of 69.8 points.