Dubai Rises to 4th in Global Smart City Index, Leading Asia and the Arab World
Dubai has surged to fourth place globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, climbing eight positions and securing its status as the highest-ranked city in the GCC, the Arab world, and Asia.
The jump marks a major milestone in Dubai's digital transformation journey, driven by advancements across health, mobility, digital governance, and cultural engagement. The city recorded resident satisfaction rates exceeding 80% across key services, including online medical bookings, internet reliability, and digital ID processing.
The IMD Smart City Index, compiled by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, assesses how effectively cities use digital technologies to improve quality of life. Now in its sixth edition, the ranking is based on citizen feedback across five pillars: health, mobility, activities, governance, and opportunities.
Mattar Al Tayer, Director General of the Roads and Transport Authority, credited Dubai's success to cross-sector collaboration and the city's smart mobility initiatives. These include high usage of vehicle-sharing apps, smart parking systems, and bicycle rentals—each outperforming leading cities like Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva.
Dubai's push toward autonomous transport, big data integration, and AI-driven services has also been key. The RTA alone has launched over 80 digital projects under its 2023–2030 strategy, with AED1.6 billion in investment.
Top officials from Dubai Police, Digital Dubai, and Dubai Culture echoed the sentiment, highlighting the role of advanced infrastructure and inclusive technology in enhancing daily life and community well-being.
This achievement aligns with Dubai's broader vision to become one of the world's top three cities for living and economic opportunity. At its core is a resident-first approach, where innovation is not just about technology—but about improving lives.
News Source: Emirates News Agency
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