Dubai Gains Ground in International Financial Standings, Identified Among Leading FinTech Centers Worldwide
Dubai Soars as a Global Financial Hub
Dubai, the vibrant city in the United Arab Emirates, has cemented its position as a leading global financial center, according to the latest Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI). The city's success over the past two decades, spearheaded by the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), has been instrumental in this ascent.
The GFCI, published by Z/Yen in London, ranks financial centres globally based on various factors, and Dubai has made significant strides in multiple categories. The city now ranks 13th globally in Trading, 8th in Investment Management, and 14th in Banking & Finance.
One of the key contributors to Dubai's success is the record growth in company registrations and workforce. DIFC recorded a 25% year-on-year increase in active registered companies, reaching 7,700 by mid-2025, with 1,081 new firms joining in H1 2025 alone. The professional workforce in DIFC rose 9% to nearly 48,000 employees, demonstrating business and talent expansion.
Dubai's financial sector is diverse, with robust growth in each cluster. DIFC hosts a broad range of financial sectors, including banking, capital markets, wealth and asset management, insurance, and reinsurance. Notably, the wealth and asset management sector includes more than 85 hedge funds, and over 10,000 funds are managed or marketed from DIFC.
The city's strong presence in FinTech and innovation is another significant factor in its success. Dubai is ranked among the world’s top five hubs for FinTech by the GFCI, with FinTech companies growing 28%, reaching 1,388 firms in DIFC. This innovation ecosystem fuels agility, business growth, and future finance developments.
Dubai's rise in the GFCI rankings is also a testament to the proactive vision and strategic economic agenda of the government. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, aims to position Dubai as a forefront global financial hub. The government's initiatives, including the Dubai Economic Agenda D33, foster competitiveness, innovation, and investor confidence, which underpin this growth.
To accommodate rising demand, over 1.6 million square feet of commercial space is under construction to be ready by early 2026, supporting further business establishment and expansion.
In summary, Dubai’s ascent in the GFCI rankings reflects a strategic blend of vibrant company growth, diverse financial services, sectoral innovation (especially in FinTech), proactive government policy, and robust infrastructure development that together fuel its status as a leading global financial center. Dubai is one of only eight global cities with 'broad and deep' financial capabilities, alongside London, New York, Paris, and others. His Excellency Arif Amiri, CEO of DIFC Authority, and His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of DIFC, have both made statements acknowledging the city's achievements. Dubai is the only regional city to appear in the top 15 for various sectors, making it the most mentioned financial centre expected to become more significant in the future.
[1] DIFC Authority website: https://www.difc.ae/ [2] Dubai Media Office website: https://dubaimediaoffice.ae/ [3] Dubai Economy website: https://economy.gov.ae/ [4] Global Financial Centres Index website: https://www.longfinance.net/gfci/gfci_reports.html
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