The UAE ranked first in the Arab World and 11th globally in the Global Knowledge Index 2021 issued by the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The index measures global knowledge in countries based on their sustainable development policies, ability to build knowledge societies, and develop future oriented policies.

The index was implemented among 154 countries globally and contained seven secondary indicators that marked the performance of six crucial knowledge sectors namely, pre-university education, technical education and professional training, higher education, information and communications technology ICT, research development and innovation, and economy. It also had a secondary indicator that noted the social, political, economic, health and environmental context under which these sectors were being managed.

The UAE took sixth place globally in the pre-university education indicator, eighth place in the technical education and professional training indicator, 16th place in the higher education indicator, 28th place in the research development and innovation indicator, 14th place in the ICT indicator, second place in the economy indicator, and 27th place in the enabling environment indicator.

The index also highlighted five strengths in the UAE’s 2021 results, which were– data upload and download speeds on cellphones, broadband internet subscriptions on cellphones per 100 people, families with internet access at home, individuals with standard ICT skills, and the percentage of internet users.

The fifth edition of the Global Knowledge Index included 155 variables which were chosen from over 40 sources and international databases, including the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the World Bank, the International Telecommunication Union, the International Monetary Fund, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Labour Organization, and more. The results saw Switzerland taking 1st place for the fifth year in a row, followed by Sweden, USA, Finland, and the Netherlands.