The Kingdom of Bahrain continues to cement its position as a leading hub for entrepreneurship in the Arab world, securing the 4th rank regionally and 67th globally in the 2024 Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI) released by research center StartupBlink. The report, which assesses the quality of supportive environments for startups worldwide, highlights the sustained progress within the MENA region’s entrepreneurial landscape.
The average ranking for Arab nations improved by four places to 71st globally, signaling growing momentum across the region. Bahrain maintains its prominent standing among the most supportive Arab economies for emerging ventures.
Regional Standing and Key Drivers
The GSEI report places Bahrain behind the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt in the Arab world. The index evaluates ecosystems based on critical factors including the legislative and regulatory environment, market attractiveness, support for innovation, and the ability to attract entrepreneurial talent.
This ranking underscores Bahrain’s established reputation as an attractive destination for new ventures, bolstered by a flexible regulatory framework and economic policies designed to foster diversity and growth.
A Leader in Future Opportunities
Further validating its forward-looking approach, Bahrain also ranked 4th in the Arab world and 53rd globally in the 2024 Future Opportunities Index. Published by Horizon Group and Vantage Research, this index measures the capacity of 70 nations to anticipate and capitalize on future economic opportunities, particularly within the digital and technology sectors.
The report affirms that Bahrain is among the most prepared Arab nations to navigate global economic shifts, driven by the increasing importance of the knowledge economy and technological innovation.
Government Vision and Economic Stability
Bahrain achieved a notably strong performance in the “government vision” component of the Future Opportunities Index, reflecting the clarity of the nation’s strategic direction in supporting a future-focused economy. The Kingdom also demonstrated balanced strength across indicators for market dynamics, business environment, and human capital.
These results point to a stable institutional and organizational foundation that serves as a cornerstone for enhancing the national economy’s competitiveness and expanding opportunities for sustainable growth. The report concludes that Bahrain’s pro-business legislative system is a key asset in supporting startups, attracting investment, and enabling founders to scale their ventures.
About StartupBlink
StartupBlink is a comprehensive startup ecosystem map and research center. It works with municipalities and development organizations worldwide to map, brand, and grow their startup ecosystems. Its annual Global Startup Ecosystem Index has become a key benchmark for assessing startup environments across more than 100 countries and 1,000 cities.
Source: Alayam
