In the number two spot with an NECI rating of 6.3 was our second Gulf country on this list: Saudi Arabia. With the country evidently undergoing a period of reform, government policies have simplified the process of starting a firm and made it simpler for corporations from outside the country to invest in the economy. This falls in line with Saudi Arabia’s long-term development ambitions under the Vision 2030.

Particular national strengths when it comes to entrepreneurship were found in Physical Infrastructure (7.8), Ease of Entry: Market Dynamics (7.3), and Social and Cultural Norms (7.2). Among the lowest-rated conditions, but showing the most improvement, was entrepreneurship education, both at school level (4.6) and in higher education, and vocational training (5.8).

95 per cent or more of adults in the country stated that entrepreneurship is a good career choice, and that entrepreneurs have high status and media attention. Meanwhile, 89 per cent said it is easy to start a business, and 88 per cent know at least one entrepreneur personally. Along with Indonesia, Saudi Arabia was one of just four economies where female entrepreneurs outnumbered their male counterparts in total.