Dubai has risen to fourth place in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, moving up eight spots from the previous year. It now ranks highest among cities in the GCC, Arab world, and Asia.
The ranking, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre in partnership with the Singapore University of Technology and Design, evaluates how effectively cities use digital technology to improve the lives of residents. The results are based on a direct survey of citizens across five categories: health, mobility, activities, governance, and opportunities.
Dubai recorded improvements in 16 of 20 technology indicators and showed progress across all four pillars of technology governance.
Specific scores include 84.5 for online medical appointment booking, 86.5 for satisfaction with internet speed, and 85.4 for processing identification documents online. Recycling, green space access, health services, and cultural activities also received high satisfaction ratings.
The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported that using innovative mobility services in Dubai has outpaced cities that ranked higher overall in the index. Vehicle-sharing usage stood at 67.9%, smart parking at 73.8%, and bicycle rentals at 70%. These figures exceed comparable rates in Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva.
The RTA is executing a digital transformation roadmap that includes 82 projects between 2023 and 2030 with an investment of AED 1.6 billion. The plan aims for 95% digital adoption of services and integration of 50 artificial intelligence use cases. Dubai also targets converting 25% of all urban trips to autonomous transport by 2030 under its Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy.
Dubai Police cited the city’s expanded use of smart technologies and AI in security and public services as contributing factors to the ranking. Digital Dubai, the government entity overseeing the emirate’s digital strategy, said the results reflect citizen experience with digital services and the cross-agency collaboration underpinning the smart city agenda.
The IMD Smart City Index 2025 includes 142 cities. Singapore topped the list, followed by Zurich and Oslo. Dubai was the only city in the Arab world to be in the top ten. The ranking aligns with the Dubai Digital Strategy’s objectives, which aim to position the city among the top three global destinations for living and economic opportunity.
