Saudi Arabia tops region in UN digital government services index

Saudi Arabia has maintained its leadership in the Middle East and North Africa in the 2025 Digital and Mobile Government Services Maturity Index, published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The Kingdom retained the top spot for the fourth consecutive year, achieving a very high overall maturity score of 99 percent, reflecting the sustained progress and maturity of Saudi Arabia's digital government at the regional level.

Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Suwaiyan, Governor of the Digital Government Authority, said Saudi Arabia's top ranking demonstrates the strong support of the nation's leadership for developing an integrated digital government model focused on user needs, enhancing the competitiveness of the national economy, and improving government performance through sustainable practices. He added that this achievement reflects the significant efforts by government entities to develop procedures and platforms, adopt emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, and position Saudi Arabia as a global model for business efficiency and digital economic competitiveness, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

Saudi Arabia led the index, which assessed 17 countries and evaluated the maturity of 100 priority government services provided to individuals and businesses through digital platforms and smart applications. The evaluation was based on three sub-indicators: the Kingdom scored 100 percent for "service availability and development," 99 percent for "service usage and user satisfaction," and 100 percent for "public reach."

This progress reflects the continuous development of digital government services across key sectors. In civil services, digital platforms have made it easier to issue official documents such as renewing passports, national IDs, and registering births. Judicial services now allow users to complete many procedures electronically, while in healthcare, digital services have enabled remote medical appointments and improved access to medical care. In customs clearance, digital solutions have accelerated processes and increased transaction efficiency.

These achievements are attributed to the development of advanced government digital infrastructure, enhanced integration of services among government entities, increased digital inclusivity and accessibility for people with disabilities, and the use of data, emerging technologies, and artificial intelligence to deliver more efficient, proactive, and reliable services for citizens, residents, and visitors. The Kingdom has also strengthened digital security and access channels to ensure safe and easily accessible government services for all beneficiaries.

This accomplishment builds on a series of strong international results for Saudi Arabia, including its recent second-place global ranking in the 2025 Digital Government Maturity Index by the World Bank, which assessed 197 countries. Riyadh was also selected as the headquarters for the Global Digital Government Center in partnership with the United Nations, supporting research, innovation, and international cooperation, and reflecting the Kingdom's advanced standing in digital government and public service development in line with sustainable development goals.