Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi is among the world’s most liveable and digitally advanced cities, according to the 2026 IMD Smart City Index (SCI), which measures how effectively technology improves residents’ daily lives and their perception of government structures.
The UAE capital ranked 10th globally, earning an overall rating of A, with A grades for both structures and technology.
The IMD index surveyed 148 cities worldwide, with a focus on residents’ perceptions in five areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance.
Findings show that Abu Dhabi residents are highly receptive to digital solutions, with 89% expressing trust in online government services.
Sixty-six per cent of residents regularly use digital tools for daily payments, and 67% are willing to share personal data to help improve traffic congestion.
Digital services across healthcare, mobility, governance, and activities scored particularly high: arranging medical appointments online (85.2%), CCTV systems boosting perceived safety (86.9%), and online ticketing for cultural events (86.7%).
The city’s technology infrastructure for jobs and business also received strong marks, with internet reliability at 85.7% and online business services at 78.3%.
The report, titled “The Quest for Trust and Transparency”, makes clear that cities cannot rely on technology alone. It pointed out that Abu Dhabi and Dubai (ranked sixth) illustrate that the Gulf model of strong state-directed digital investment combined with high-quality service delivery generates “genuine civic confidence”.
Across the board, higher overall performance correlates with stronger perceptions of governance, transparency, and citizen participation.
Arturo Bris, Director of the IMD World Competitiveness Centre, emphasised this trend at the index media launch event: “Smartness does not arise solely from technology. It emerges when government structure, infrastructure investments, and public values evolve together.”
Bris believes citizens’ perception of Abu Dhabi’s technology and services has increased amid the current regional conflict. The city has strengthened public trust through timely communication and visible safety measures, he said in response to a question by Aletihad.
The report pointed to a growing emphasis on trust as a key currency for smart city success.
Interestingly, trust in digital services can be highest in less-developed countries, while some wealthier cities face scepticism over privacy and governance.
Bris also highlighted education and digital literacy as long-term multipliers, noting that “cities become intelligent only when residents have the necessary skills to use the systems that are built”.
Top-ranked cities, including Zurich, Oslo, Geneva, and Copenhagen, excelled in institutional quality and infrastructure, even where technology scores were relatively lower.
By contrast, cities with advanced technology but weaker institutions, such as Athens (139th) and Rome (143rd), lagged in overall liveability.
The 2026 edition added five new cities: Tianjin and Zhuhai (China), Hafr Al Batin and Hail (Saudi Arabia), and San Salvador (El Salvador).
