For decades, development has been measured almost exclusively through gross domestic product and other macroeconomic indicators. Using these metrics, the world economy delivered rising growth rates, expanding infrastructure and global integration. Yet the model left critical gaps: lagging human development, underdeveloped private sectors in many countries and little emphasis on equity or sustainability.
The 2025 UN Human Development Index Report makes this stark. Human development progress is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown. Excluding the crisis years of 2020-21, the meagre rise projected this year is the smallest since 1990. This is not a blip but a structural failure.
A core issue is the “success” metric itself. All nations and governments chase and report GDP growth, while GDP was never designed to capture well-being, inequality, environmental sustainability or social cohesion. In fact, GDP can show growth even while living standards stagnate and natural resources are depleted. As a result, many countries may appear successful on paper while citizens face widening disparities and declining well-being.
This critique is not new and, indeed, now widespread. Today, policymakers, academics and business leaders alike recognise that 20th-century growth models are no match for 21st-century challenges. If we continue chasing GDP while ignoring human development, the future risks becoming one of high output but low well-being.
However, if we recalibrate and work on putting people, equity, innovation and sustainability at the core, we can enter a new era of prosperity.
This recalibration is the first, and core, element of the new calculus of prosperity. Prosperity cannot be measured only by economic size but by opportunities for people, resilience of systems and fairness of outcomes. It must be entrepreneurial, innovative, and built on sustainability and inclusion as non-negotiables.
We now argue that there is a second element for this new calculus: the so-called “emerging” markets. The majority of these markets, of which the GCC is one, are no longer just catching up (or emerging). They are part of defining the future and have now earned a new title: future growth market.
Globally, and according to the 2025 IMF World Economic Outlook, emerging markets and developing economies will grow at 3.7 per cent this year, nearly three times the 1.4 per cent forecast for advanced economies. World Economics puts the contrast sharper: 5.7 per cent versus 1.9 per cent. This is a structural change, reshaping the global economy for the century ahead.
West Asia illustrates this vividly. The GCC controls $4.2 trillion in sovereign wealth assets, according to the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute, operates world-class trade hubs, and the World Bank reports that it is seeing non-oil GDP growth above 4 per cent annually. Meanwhile, India, now the world’s most populous nation at 1.43 billion people, will account for more than 16 per cent of global GDP growth from 2023-2028, according to the IMF. Its middle class of 400 million is expected to double by 2030, a 2023 Brookings Institution report says, unleashing demand, innovation and investment on an unprecedented scale.
In Africa, the numbers are equally interesting. By 2050, the continent will be home to 2.5 billion people, more than 60 per cent under 25. This will be the largest youth cohort in history. Already, Africa has the world’s highest entrepreneurship rates – more than one in five working-age adults are starting a business. Combined with rapid urbanisation and mobile adoption, the continent is a laboratory of innovation.
Critically, global growth markets are not merely copying advanced economies – they are leapfrogging. Kenya’s M-Pesa reinvented finance with mobile money, India’s telemedicine platforms are influencing rural healthcare models globally, and the UAE’s digital government services are among the world’s most advanced.
The old binary of 'developed versus developing' is obsolete
These are not just stories of growth; they show prosperity can be inclusive, sustainable and driven by innovation.
In this new calculus, human capital is the most valuable resource and digital infrastructure the ultimate enabler. Countries that invest in their young, entrepreneurial populations, and that build sustainable, tech-enabled systems, will define the coming century.
Innovation no longer flows only from “advanced economies” outward. Increasingly, it flows in all directions. What starts in Lagos, Jakarta or Dubai may soon shape practices in London, Tokyo or New York.
Barriers remain. Venture capital still flows disproportionately to Silicon Valley rather than Nairobi or Riyadh. Perception biases, not performance, often disadvantage startups from growth markets, and trade barriers and regulatory fragmentation persist.
Yet the old binary of “developed versus developing” is obsolete. The real choice is this: cling to outdated models that prioritise GDP growth while neglecting equity, or embrace a new order focusing on well-being and where global growth markets lead prosperity – entrepreneurial, inclusive and sustainable.
The 21st century will not be defined by those who dominated the 20th. It will be shaped by those who innovate, adapt and build systems where people and the planet thrive.
From Riyadh’s corridors to Bangalore’s campuses, from Abu Dhabi’s ports to Nairobi’s tech hubs, a new generation of economic champions is already rising.
The era for this new calculus has begun.
Dr Yasar Jarrar teaches at the Hult International Business School and is a columnist for The National
Dina H Sherif is the executive director of the MIT Kuo Sharper Centre for Prosperity and Entrepreneurship, and a senior lecturer at the MIT Sloan School of Management
Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Avatar%20(2009)
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POWERWASH%20SIMULATOR
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
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OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Notable salonnières of the Middle East through history
Al Khasan (Okaz, Saudi Arabia)
Tamadir bint Amr Al Harith, known simply as Al Khasan, was a poet from Najd famed for elegies, earning great renown for the eulogy of her brothers Mu’awiyah and Sakhr, both killed in tribal wars. Although not a salonnière, this prestigious 7th century poet fostered a culture of literary criticism and could be found standing in the souq of Okaz and reciting her poetry, publicly pronouncing her views and inviting others to join in the debate on scholarship. She later converted to Islam.
Maryana Marrash (Aleppo)
A poet and writer, Marrash helped revive the tradition of the salon and was an active part of the Nadha movement, or Arab Renaissance. Born to an established family in Aleppo in Ottoman Syria in 1848, Marrash was educated at missionary schools in Aleppo and Beirut at a time when many women did not receive an education. After touring Europe, she began to host salons where writers played chess and cards, competed in the art of poetry, and discussed literature and politics. An accomplished singer and canon player, music and dancing were a part of these evenings.
Princess Nazil Fadil (Cairo)
Princess Nazil Fadil gathered religious, literary and political elite together at her Cairo palace, although she stopped short of inviting women. The princess, a niece of Khedive Ismail, believed that Egypt’s situation could only be solved through education and she donated her own property to help fund the first modern Egyptian University in Cairo.
Mayy Ziyadah (Cairo)
Ziyadah was the first to entertain both men and women at her Cairo salon, founded in 1913. The writer, poet, public speaker and critic, her writing explored language, religious identity, language, nationalism and hierarchy. Born in Nazareth, Palestine, to a Lebanese father and Palestinian mother, her salon was open to different social classes and earned comparisons with souq of where Al Khansa herself once recited.
Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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The 10 Questions
- Is there a God?
- How did it all begin?
- What is inside a black hole?
- Can we predict the future?
- Is time travel possible?
- Will we survive on Earth?
- Is there other intelligent life in the universe?
- Should we colonise space?
- Will artificial intelligence outsmart us?
- How do we shape the future?
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
The low down
Producers: Uniglobe Entertainment & Vision Films
Director: Namrata Singh Gujral
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Nargis Fakhri, Bo Derek, Candy Clark
Rating: 2/5
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
The squad traveling to Brazil:
Faisal Al Ketbi, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Khalfan Humaid Balhol, Khalifa Saeed Al Suwaidi, Mubarak Basharhil, Obaid Salem Al Nuaimi, Saeed Juma Al Mazrouei, Saoud Abdulla Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Yahia Mansour Al Hammadi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Zayed Saif Al Mansoori, Saaid Haj Hamdou, Hamad Saeed Al Nuaimi. Coaches Roberto Lima and Alex Paz.
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
Brief scores:
Everton 0
Leicester City 1
Vardy 58'
