Leading West Asia in open data a proud moment
Muscat, May 10
In a new achievement added to the Sultanate of Oman's record in digital development and open governance, Oman has made a remarkable leap globally in the field of open data. The Sultanate of Oman ranked first in West Asia and ninth globally in the Open Data Inventory (ODIN) 2024 report, issued by the Open Data Watch.
This advancement, marking a ten-place jump from the 2022 report, reflects Oman's dedicated efforts to enhance its statistical infrastructure and uphold international standards of transparency and openness. It aligns with the country's broader vision to support evidence-based policymaking and strengthen national data systems.
The report is based on a robust methodology that assesses data coverage and openness across national statistical offices in over 190 countries. It evaluates the availability, accessibility, transparency and usability of official data.
Hasanat Salman al Ajmi, Director of the Dissemination and National Information Department at the National Centre for Statistics and Information, stated: 'We are proud that the Sultanate of Oman, represented by the National Centre for Statistics and Information, has secured the first position among West Asian countries and ranked ninth globally in the 2024 Open Data Inventory report issued by the Open Data Watch, which evaluates the availability of data on national statistical agencies' websites.'
She added: 'The report is based on two main indicators: the Data Coverage Indicator, which measures the availability of official data across time series and geographical levels (governorates and wilayats); and the Data Openness Indicator, which assesses whether data are downloadable in machine-readable formats, include metadata and are available without technical or financial restrictions. Oman ranked third globally in the Data Openness Indicator — an achievement that reflects its strong commitment to transparency and innovation.'
This recognition comes at a time when Oman is undergoing a broad digital transformation, driven by the "Oman Vision 2040", which places strong emphasis on good governance, evidence-based planning and the development of a dynamic information environment.
The National Centre for Statistics and Information has adopted international best practices in data management, enhanced its digital platforms and provided up-to-date statistics to both the public and decision-makers.
This global ranking serves as a powerful boost to Oman's national efforts to promote open data usage across all sectors. Open data today is a vital tool for encouraging public participation, stimulating innovation in the private sector and empowering researchers and policymakers with trusted and timely information.
Beyond the areas where Oman achieved perfect scores, notable improvements were also observed in economic and social statistics, indicating a balanced and inclusive evolution of the national data ecosystem.
Looking ahead, the National Centre for Statistics and Information is committed to further developing its open data platforms and deepening institutional integration to sustain excellence and contribute to the ambitious goals of Oman Vision 2040.
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