Dubai Ranked World’s Fourth Smartest City in IMD Index 2025

Dubai has climbed eight places to rank fourth globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, reinforcing its position as the highest-ranked city in the GCC, the Arab world, and Asia.

The ranking highlights Dubai’s progress in digital transformation and smart city development, with strong performance across several key indicators. These included an 84.5 out of 100 satisfaction score for booking medical appointments online, 86.5% confidence in internet speed meeting communication needs, and 85.4% satisfaction with online identification document processing.

Additional results included 82.8% for healthcare quality, 83.4% satisfaction with access to green spaces, 84.3% for recycling services, and 86.5% for cultural activities.

Dubai also recorded progress in 16 out of 20 technology indicators and advanced across all four pillars of technology governance in the 2025 report.

The IMD Smart City Index, issued by the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, evaluates how cities use digital technologies to improve quality of life across areas including health, mobility, governance, activities, and opportunities. Rankings are based on direct resident surveys.

Mattar Al Tayer, Director General and 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 utilisation 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%.”

He also noted that the integration of artificial intelligence and big data into traffic management systems has improved traffic flow and reduced congestion by up to 25%.

According to Al Tayer, RTA is continuing to implement its Digital Strategy 2023–2030, which includes 82 projects and initiatives with investments totaling AED1.6 billion. The strategy aims to strengthen digital adoption, AI integration, fintech-enabled mobility, and smart infrastructure development.

Lieutenant General Abdullah Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said, “Dubai’s rise to fourth place globally in the IMD Smart City Index 2025, and its top ranking across the GCC, the Arab world and Asia, represents a major milestone. This accomplishment reflects the emirate’s rapid strides in adopting global best practices in artificial intelligence, smart technologies and advanced digital infrastructure. It also reaffirms Dubai’s leadership in digital transformation and sustainable security.”

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.”

Hala Badri, Director-General of Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, said, “Dubai’s digital infrastructure supports our sustainable development goals and has improved our ranking in the IMD Smart City Index. We aim to create the world’s most efficient, integrated, and secure city, reinforcing the emirate’s appeal as a place to live, work, and thrive.”