Dubai, UAE – Dubai has achieved a new milestone in its digital journey. The city now ranks sixth globally in the 2026 Smart Cities Index published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), which included 148 cities worldwide. This reinforces the emirate’s leading position among regional cities in this international ranking.
The index was released on March 31, 2026, with Zurich ranking first globally. Oslo came next, followed by Geneva. The IMD report concluded that the top-performing cities are not necessarily the most technologically advanced, but rather those that successfully align governance and digital services with residents’ expectations. Furthermore, the report identified transparency and public trust as crucial elements of urban quality of life.
Dubai scored highly in the technology pillar, with data showing residents’ confidence in digital services rising to approximately 95.7%. This reflects the impact of ongoing investment in digital infrastructure and smart services. As a result, these investments have improved the living and working experience in the emirate. Abu Dhabi also ranked tenth globally, reflecting the UAE’s strong presence in the index.
The IMD Smart Cities Index relies primarily on residents’ perceptions of urban infrastructure and available technologies in their cities. It measures performance across two main pillars—structures and technology—within five areas: health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance.
