Dubai ranks 4th globally in IMD Smart City Index 2025

Source：https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/may/12-05/dubai-ranks-4th-globally-in-imd-smart-city-index-2025

- Dubai ranks 4th globally in IMD Smart City Index 2025, leading the GCC, Arab world and Asia

- City climbs eight places, driven by smart mobility, AI adoption and digital services

- Dubai outperforms Zurich, Oslo and Geneva in key transport indicators

- Index highlights strong resident satisfaction with digital infrastructure and quality of life

- Achievement marks major milestone in Dubai’s digital transformation journey

Dubai has advanced eight places to rank 4th globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a major milestone in its digital transformation journey. The achievement reinforces Dubai’s position as the highest-ranked city in the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, and highlights its status as a global leader in smart city development and future-ready urban innovation.

In the 2025 report, Dubai recorded progress in 16 out of 20 technology indicators and achieved advancement across all four pillars of technology governance, underscoring its commitment to continuous innovation and smart city excellence.

The IMD Smart City Index, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, is a globally recognized analytical tool that assesses how effectively cities leverage digital technologies to enhance residents' quality of life. Now in its sixth year, the Index evaluates cities across critical pillars including health, mobility, activities, governance, and opportunities. The results are drawn from a direct survey of residents and citizens who express their perception of the city.

His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), said: “Dubai’s fourth-place ranking in the 2025 Smart City Index, issued by the Institute for Management Development (IMD), is a testament to the collective efforts of government entities and private sector partners in transforming Dubai into the world’s smartest city. This milestone reflects Dubai’s strategic commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technologies to deliver high-quality services, elevate the quality of life, and enhance the well-being and happiness of its residents.”

Al Tayer added: “RTA supports the government’s smart transformation efforts and has contributed effectively to securing this prestigious global ranking for Dubai in the Smart City Index, outperforming the transport sectors of the top three cities: Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva. This success was driven by excellence across three core mobility pillars: vehicle-sharing applications, with a utilization rate of 67.9%, exceeding the top three by 24.4%; smart parking search applications at 73.8%, surpassing them by 29.8%; and bicycle rental applications, with a usage rate of 70%, outperforming them by 17.3%.”

Al Tayer noted that the RTA has been instrumental in reinforcing Dubai’s position in the Smart City Index by advancing digital infrastructure and delivering smart services that address the evolving needs of residents and visitors. The integration of artificial intelligence and big data into traffic management has improved traffic flow and reduced congestion by up to 25%, he said.

“RTA is implementing a comprehensive digital transformation roadmap aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and is actively progressing the Dubai Smart Self-Driving Transport Strategy, which aims to convert 25% of all mobility trips in the city into autonomous journeys by 2030.

“In addition, RTA’s Digital Strategy 2023-2030 features 82 projects and initiatives with a total investment of AED1.6 billion. The strategy aims to consolidate RTA’s global leadership in digital transformation through optimal data utilization, a fully scalable and adaptive digital infrastructure, complete enablement of fintech-driven mobility, 95% digital adoption of services, 100% digital empowerment of employees, and the development of 50 artificial intelligence use cases,” he said.

Al Tayer said that the RTA has also recently adopted its Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2030, aimed at reinforcing its global leadership in AI-driven mobility. The strategy focuses on building an integrated, interconnected ecosystem that enhances the quality of life in Dubai.

The strategy, he said, comprises 81 projects and initiatives across key pillars: customer happiness, seamless and innovative mobility, intelligent traffic management, smart licensing, future readiness, and asset excellence. It also plays a pivotal role in further cementing Dubai’s position as a leading

His Excellency Hamad Obaid Al Mansoori, Director General of Digital Dubai, said: “The IMD Smart City Index is not just a ranking, it reflects how residents perceive the real impact of digital technologies in their everyday lives. This achievement is the outcome of a city-wide commitment to excellence, agility, and innovation. The progress stems from the unwavering collaboration between public and private sectors - and above all, the tireless work of our teams in fulfilling the vision of our leadership.”

Al Mansoori added: “I extend my appreciation to all those who contributed to this achievement and urge them to continue pursuing excellence. As we rise higher, the competition intensifies, but I remain confident in our national talent and capabilities to not only maintain this position, but to advance even further. At Digital Dubai, in close collaboration with government entities, we remain committed to driving innovation and leadership, simplifying life for individuals and businesses, and reinforcing the digital economy through the adoption of advanced smart technologies. Guided by the vision of our leadership, we continue working to realize the future of Dubai, a city that stands as a global beacon of hope, happiness and opportunity.”

This achievement marks a key milestone in the implementation of the Dubai Digital Strategy, which aims to digitize all aspects of life in the emirate and reinforce its position among the world’s top three cities for living and economic opportunity. The strategy is driven by advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and Fourth Industrial Revolution tools, with a strong focus on customer-centricity that places people at the core of digital transformation.

The IMD Smart City Index is based on comprehensive resident surveys, reflecting how people experience services and how effectively digital solutions enhance their daily lives. This resident-first approach is closely aligned with Dubai’s vision of becoming the best city in the world to live and work in, where technology serves as a bridge to well-being, opportunity, and sustainable growth for all.

IMD Smart City Index 2025

https://imd.widen.net/s/psdrsvpbk7/imd_smart_city_2025_report

Source:https://mediaoffice.ae/en/news/2025/may/12-05/dubai-ranks-4th-globally-in-imd-smart-city-index-2025