Dubai stands out as the only financial centre in the Middle East to feature among the top 10 globally, according to the latest report by a London-based management consultancy.
The emirate achieved its highest-ever position in the Global Financial Centres Index (GFCI), ascending to seventh place worldwide, the Z/Yen Group noted.
Out of 137 financial centres evaluated, Dubai now ranks alongside established hubs such as London, New York City, and Singapore.
In 2025, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) reported profits of AED1.16 billion ($316 million), marking an increase of nearly one-third. Company registrations at DIFC rose 28 percent to 8,844, despite challenges including US tariffs, global conflicts, and regional geopolitical tensions.
The centre hosts over 1,052 regulated entities, including 557 wealth and asset management firms and 102 hedge funds, a sector that expanded by 37 percent in 2025.
Earlier this year, DIFC unveiled a AED100 billion expansion plan that will almost triple its footprint by 2040. The new DIFC Zabeel District is set to add 17.7 million sq ft of gross floor area to the free zone.
