Dubai ranks among top 5 smart cities in IMD Index 2025

Dubai has been ranked fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a significant leap from its previous position and reinforcing its status as a regional and global leader in digital innovation and smart governance.

The ranking, released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center, assesses cities based on how digital technologies improve residents’ quality of life.

The survey-based index evaluates cities across key pillars, including health, mobility, governance, and activities.

Dubai recorded strong resident satisfaction scores in several key areas, including 86.5% for internet speed, 85.4% for online ID services, 84.5% for medical appointment bookings, and 83.4% for access to green spaces.

Mattar Al Tayer, Chairman of the Roads and Transport Authority, said the result reflects “collective efforts” by public and private stakeholders, adding that Dubai outperformed Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva in smart mobility indicators such as vehicle-sharing, bicycle rentals, and smart parking.

Dubai Police chief Lt Gen Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri called the ranking a milestone that reflects the city's progress in artificial intelligence and sustainable digital security.

Officials from Digital Dubai, Dubai Culture, and the Community Development Authority also attributed the achievement to collaborative innovation and the emirate’s people-first digital strategy.

This progress aligns with the Dubai Digital Strategy and AI Strategy 2030, both of which aim to digitise citywide services and promote autonomous, tech-enabled urban living.