The UAE has gained the eighth spot among the world’s most globalised countries, in DHL’s latest Global Connectedness Report. The report, which analyses 181 countries, reveals that the UAE has experienced the largest increase in connectedness since 2001.
According to the report, the MENA region emerged as well-connected to countries around the world in aspects that include trade, investment, immigration and tourism.
While Europe leads in trade and people flows, and North America leads in capital and information flows, MENA ranks second in trade. This reflects the significance of the oil trade, the growing influence of Gulf countries in trade networks, and the strong ties between North African nations and Europe.
Drawing on nearly NINE million data points, the report introduces a new methodology that measures the depth of globalisation on a scale from zero percent to 100 percent.
Despite global economic challenges and political uncertainties, the report reveals that global flows have proven highly resilient, outpacing domestic activity and expanding across longer distances.
The report also highlights a growing appetite for international expansion, with an increase in the value of announced greenfield foreign direct investment (FDI) and publicly traded companies earning more sales abroad.
Globally, international travel reached 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels and is expected to fully recover by the end of 2024. The Middle East has been at the forefront of this travel recovery, with international arrivals surpassing pre-pandemic levels by 23 percent in 2023, according to data from the UN World Tourism Organization.
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