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RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has climbed to the 22nd spot in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, advancing five places from the previous year, a new report showed. 

The ranking, issued by the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management Development, assesses 69 economies on their ability to adopt and leverage digital technologies to drive economic and social transformation. 

Saudi Arabia ranked 26th in the Knowledge pillar, 23rd in Technology, and 19th in Future Readiness, reflecting the Kingdom’s continued progress in building a dynamic digital ecosystem. 

The improvement highlights the Kingdom’s progress in establishing itself as a regional and global digital powerhouse, underpinned by significant advancements in artificial intelligence, data centers, e-government, and human capital development. 

Switzerland was named the most digitally savvy nation globally, “driven by its world-leading performance in the Knowledge factor, where it maintains first position, and a significant three-position jump in the Future Readiness factor to second place,” said the report.

The US was ranked second, with Singapore third.

Hong Kong was placed fourth on the list, followed by Denmark, the Netherlands, and Canada in fifth, sixth, and seventh spots, respectively. 

Among countries in the Gulf Cooperation Council region, the UAE secured the ninth rank globally, an advancement of two places compared to the previous year. 

Qatar climbed six spots to secure the 20th position, while Oman and Kuwait were ranked 36th and 42nd, respectively. 

In its report, IMD said that global trade fragmentation is currently steering the digital capabilities of countries, with economies most shielded from its effects advancing their positions in the ranking. 

“Those economies most shielded from the effects are leapfrogging ahead in our digital ranking. One example is Qatar, which is up six places since last year,” said Arturo Bris, director of the World Competitiveness Center. 

He added: “In contrast, economies highly affected by the twists and turns of trade in 2025 are experiencing a battering in their digital competitiveness. Australia is a case in point – eight places lower in our ranking than it was last year.”