Dubai, UAE – The UAE recorded a strong presence in the inaugural edition of the “Global Growth Leaders 2026” ranking. Launched by Time magazine in partnership with data analytics firm Statista. The list includes 27 Emirati companies listed among the world’s top 1,000 performing and growing public companies. In new confirmation of the momentum witnessed by the UAE economy, and its growing ability to produce global companies with rapid growth and strong financial performance.
The new classification aims to identify the fastest-growing, most financially stable, and best-performing listed companies in financial markets around the world. At a time when the global economy is witnessing rapid transformations driven by technological innovation, the expansion of artificial intelligence, and the accelerating shift towards future sectors.
Al-Alamiya Holding topped the list of Emirati companies, ranking sixth globally. Dubai Insurance came in tenth place, followed by Emirates Stallions Group in 35th place, and Two Point Zero Group in 36th place. While Ras Al Khaimah Real Estate ranked 67th, then NMDC Group ranked 71st globally.
The list also included “Apex Investment” in 98th place globally, then “Modon Holding” in 117th place, “Diyar Development” in 127th place, and “Abu Dhabi Shipbuilding” in 213th place. Emstel is ranked 229th, and Responds Plus Holding is ranked 254th.
The list also included Mashreq Bank in 316th place, Alpha Dhabi in 329th place, and Amanat Holding in 368th place. Easy Lease is ranked 387th, Food Holding is ranked 429th, and Al-Etihad Real Estate is ranked 430th.
Main axes in the classification
In preparing the classification, Time and Statista relied on 3 main axes of equal weight to determine the winning companies.
The first axis represented growth performance, as companies were evaluated based on revenue data over the past five years. Taking into account the relative growth rate and the number of years during which the company has maintained sustainable growth. The company must be listed on public financial markets.
The second axis focused on financial stability, through profitability analysis and the use of internationally recognized financial indicators such as the Piotrowski Index (F-Score) and the Altman Index (Z-Score). Which measures the strength of the company’s financial position and its chances of being exposed to financial default or bankruptcy. In addition to specialized sectoral indicators for the banking, insurance and real estate fund sectors.
The third axis included the stock’s performance in the financial markets, by measuring the average annual growth of return, and comparing the stock’s performance with the market as a whole. Analysis of recent returns and volatility levels over the past five years.
After data collection and analysis, the results were integrated into a unified evaluation model that gave each axis equal weight. To create a final maximum score of 100 points, before selecting the world’s top 1000 companies.
Promoting the growth of non-oil sectors
The UAE’s remarkable presence in the rankings reflects the success of the country’s strategy to diversify the economy and promote the growth of non-oil sectors, including investment, real estate, financial services, infrastructure, and technology. This consolidates the UAE’s position as a global center for companies with high growth and international competitiveness.
At the global level, the Indian company Lloyd’s Enterprises topped the list, followed by its compatriot EFC Limited in second place. NetVision is in third place, Saazgar Engineering is in fourth place, and Shanghai Alist Pharmaceuticals is in fifth place. Meanwhile, companies from Asia and the Pacific have emerged strongly, in light of expectations from global financial institutions such as Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley that the region will continue to achieve economic growth rates. The United States and Europe will excel in the coming years.
