RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has secured the top global position in the Digital Readiness Framework 2025 released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), marking a significant milestone in its digital transformation journey.
The Kingdom scored 94 out of 100 in the “Very High” category, improving from 90 points and a fourth-place ranking in the previous year, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported on Tuesday.
Saudi Arabia led the global index, with Finland and Germany jointly ranking second at 93 points each, followed by the United Kingdom in fourth place with 92 points.
Norway and France secured fifth and sixth positions with scores of 91 and 90, respectively.
The achievement underscores the Kingdom’s rapid advancement in developing a robust digital ecosystem, driven by progressive regulatory frameworks, strong governance, and well-established institutional capacity.
This progress is enhancing the competitiveness of its digital markets, supporting broader economic and social development, and aligning with national ambitions to transition into a technologically advanced, smart economy.
The Digital Readiness Framework is one of the specialised international indicators used to measure national readiness of digital ecosystems.
It evaluates telecommunications and technology systems, policies, and governance tools, based on analytical outputs that include digital regulatory maturity and the development of sector regulations.
The framework comprises 117 indicators distributed across nine main pillars.
The Kingdom’s top ranking in this framework reinforces its position as a global leader in fostering a dynamic and enabling digital environment.
By adopting best-in-class regulatory practices, promoting data-driven policymaking, and ensuring effective coordination among key institutions, Saudi Arabia has strengthened the resilience of its digital ecosystem and its ability to adapt to rapid technological change.
This achievement also reflects the scale and consistency of national efforts to advance regulatory and legislative frameworks, empower digital markets, and enhance institutional efficiency.
These factors have collectively propelled the Kingdom into the exclusive “Very High” category—shared by only a select group of countries—highlighting its growing international stature and the strength of its progress in the communications and technology sector.
This accomplishment reinforces the Kingdom’s presence in specialised international indices, strengthens its position as a leading global hub in the digital economy, and enhances its appeal as a destination for investment and innovation, supported by an ambitious vision toward a more prosperous and thriving future.
