United Arab Emirates: Financial freedom

The latest value from 2026 is 60 points, unchanged from 60 points in 2025. In comparison, the world average is 48 points, based on data from 175 countries. Historically, the average for the United Arab Emirates from 1996 to 2026 is 51 points. The minimum value, 30 points, was reached in 2004 while the maximum of 60 points was recorded in 2016. See the global rankings for that indicator or use the country comparator to compare trends over time.

The Financial Freedom index for the United Arab Emirates from The Heritage Foundation measures the efficiency of the banking system and the interventions of the government into the financial system. A higher score means more efficient banking institutions and less government intervention.

Definition: The Financial freedom index evaluates: the extent of government regulation of financial services, the degree of state intervention in banks and other financial firms through direct and indirect ownership, the extent of financial and capital market development, government influence on the allocation of credit and openness to foreign competition. Higher index values denote banking efficiency and independence from government control and interference in the financial sector.