United Arab Emirates Regulatory Quality
Regulatory Quality RQ.EST
United Arab Emirates's regulatory quality was 1.07 in 2025, ranked 38th globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank WGI, covering 1996–2025.
Overview
United Arab Emirates's regulatory quality stood at 1.07 in 2025, a rise of +0.03 from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 1.07 by 2025. United Arab Emirates ranked 38th globally.
The United Arab Emirates’ regulatory quality score rose from 0.69 in 1996 to a peak of 1.10 in 2015, reflecting substantial reforms in business licensing, contract enforcement and anti‑corruption measures during the mid‑2010s, before a brief dip to a trough of 0.32 in 2010 that coincided with regional financial volatility. By 2025 the score reached 1.07, ranking the UAE 38th globally and placing it just below Qatar’s 1.10 and slightly above Israel’s 1.08, indicating that the emirate has largely sustained the high standards achieved at its peak. The 26‑year coverage shows a steady upward trajectory despite the 2010 setback, suggesting that recent policy continuity and diversification away from oil‑dependent sectors have reinforced regulatory frameworks. Continued emphasis on digital government services and alignment with international best practices should keep the UAE’s regulatory quality on an improving path, potentially narrowing the gap with top‑ranking peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Regulatory Quality | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 1.08 | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 1.07 | - | - |
| 2025 | 1.07 | +0.03 | #38 |
| 2023 | 1.04 | +0.01 | #37 |
| 2022 | 1.03 | +0.03 | #37 |
| 2021 | 1.01 | −0.07 | #37 |
| 2020 | 1.07 | +0.11 | #35 |
| 2019 | 0.97 | +0.05 | #43 |
| 2018 | 0.92 | −0.08 | #40 |
| 2017 | 1.00 | +0.04 | #38 |
| 2016 | 0.96 | −0.14 | #38 |
| 2015 | 1.10 | +0.11 | #34 |
| 2014 | 0.99 | +0.21 | #37 |
| 2013 | 0.77 | +0.10 | #48 |
| 2012 | 0.67 | +0.23 | #52 |
| 2011 | 0.45 | +0.13 | #67 |
| 2010 | 0.32 | −0.12 | #75 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
United Arab Emirates matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw regulatory quality improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
United Arab Emirates's regulatory quality was 1.07 in 2025. Ranked 38th globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
United Arab Emirates's regulatory quality peaked at 1.10 in 2015.
The lowest regulatory quality in United Arab Emirates was 0.32 in 2010.
United Arab Emirates ranks 38th globally in regulatory quality as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is RQ.EST. Data sourced from World Bank WGI.
United Arab Emirates's regulatory quality is projected to reach 1.07 by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The regulatory quality of United Arab Emirates in 2025 was 1.07. This ranks 38th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_united-arab-emirates_regulatory-quality,
title = {United Arab Emirates Regulatory Quality},
url = {https://historysaid.com/united-arab-emirates/regulatory-quality/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}