Saudi Arabia has achieved top global rankings in the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2025–2026 report, underscoring its strong entrepreneurial ecosystem and growing status as a leading global hub for business creation and innovation.
The Kingdom ranked first among high-income economies in Entrepreneurial Finance, reflecting the strength and efficiency of its funding environment for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It also secured third place globally in the National Entrepreneurship Context Index (NECI), further highlighting its attractiveness for entrepreneurial activity and investment.
The report shows significant growth in early-stage entrepreneurship, with Total Early-Stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rising from 12.1% in 2018 to 28.9% in 2025. Entrepreneurial intentions also nearly doubled over the same period, increasing from 26.8% to 48.5%, indicating a sharp rise in interest in starting new businesses.
In the academic sector, Saudi Arabia made notable progress, advancing from 53rd place to seventh globally in university-based entrepreneurship, reflecting stronger integration between education and innovation ecosystems.
These achievements are the result of coordinated efforts between government bodies such as the Monsha’at, the private sector, and academic institutions, all contributing to the development of a more dynamic and competitive entrepreneurial landscape.
