Saudi Arabia achieved remarkable progress in the 2026 Smart Cities Index issued by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), with eight Saudi cities included in the global ranking. This achievement reflects the acceleration of urban transformation and improvements in quality of life, in line with Saudi Vision 2030.
The success of government investments in developing digital infrastructure and enhancing smart services is clearly evident in this achievement, contributing to improving residents’ daily lives. Riyadh advanced to 24th place globally, while Makkah ranked 50th and Jeddah 55th. Madinah came in 67th place, highlighting balanced progress among major cities.
AlUla witnessed a qualitative leap, rising from 112th to 85th place thanks to its development projects, while Al Khobar advanced to 64th place, confirming noticeable improvements in services and digital infrastructure. For the first time, Hail and Hafar Al-Batin entered the ranking at 33rd and 100th places, respectively, reflecting the success of balanced regional development.
The Smart Cities Index measures the adoption of modern technologies and their impact on daily life, focusing on service quality and digital infrastructure across sectors such as transportation, healthcare, and education. This progress underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to building smart and sustainable cities, alongside celebrating the Year of Artificial Intelligence 2026 and continuing its efforts toward an innovative digital economy.
