Dubai and Abu Dhabi have made it to the top five of the IMD Smart City Index 2025, marking a major step forward in how cities use technology to improve daily life. This is the first time both cities have landed in the top 10 of the annual ranking, which looks at how smartly cities handle everything from public services and housing to sustainability and digital access.
Dubai ranked 4th overall, scoring high marks for its healthcare services (82.8 out of 100) and green spaces (83.4). Abu Dhabi followed closely at 5th place, with slightly higher scores in both healthcare (84.7) and access to green areas (83.8).
The IMD Smart City Index 2025 list has 3 European cities at the top:
- Zurich (Switzerland)
- Oslo (Norway)
- Geneva (Switzerland)
Launched six years ago by the World Competitiveness Center (WCC), the Smart City Index evaluates how cities strike a balance between quality of life and innovation. The focus isn’t just on using new technology — it’s about making life better for people living there.
According to Christos Cabolis, the WCC’s Chief Economist, smart cities do best when they focus on livability, sustainability, and solid local governance. “Technology should be a tool, not the final goal,” he explained.
This year’s index also welcomed new cities including AlUla (Saudi Arabia), Astana (Kazakhstan), Caracas (Venezuela), Kuwait City, Manama (Bahrain), and San Juan (Puerto Rico), showing a growing global interest in becoming smarter, more sustainable urban centers.
