Saudi Arabia has climbed to 22nd place globally in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking published by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD), marking a five-spot improvement from the previous year.
The IMD ranking evaluates 69 economies on their capacity to adopt and leverage digital technologies for economic and social transformation. Saudi Arabia ranked 26th in Knowledge, 23rd in Technology, and 19th in Future Readiness, reflecting its strong progress in developing a robust and future-oriented digital ecosystem.
The report attributes the Kingdom’s rise to major advancements in artificial intelligence, data centers, e-government, and human capital development, aligning with Vision 2030’s drive toward digital transformation and innovation leadership.
Globally, Switzerland topped the list for its excellence in knowledge and future readiness, followed by the United States and Singapore in second and third positions. Hong Kong, Denmark, the Netherlands, and Canada rounded out the top seven.
Within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the UAE ranked ninth, moving up two places, while Qatar advanced six spots to reach 20th. Oman and Kuwait ranked 36th and 42nd, respectively.
According to IMD’s World Competitiveness Center Director Arturo Bris, global trade fragmentation is reshaping digital capabilities worldwide, with nations less affected by trade disruptions—like Qatar and Saudi Arabia—showing strong resilience and upward momentum in digital competitiveness.
