If you live in Dubai or Abu Dhabi, there’s a good reason to be proud. The latest Smart City Index is out and it puts both cities in the top 10 of the global list. In 2026, Dubai is placed sixth and Abu Dhabi came in tenth out of 148 cities.
According to the report, the UAE stands out for combining government-led investment in digital technology with strong public services.
The IMD Smart City Index measures cities across five main areas:
- health and safety
- mobility
- urban activities
- opportunities in work and education
- governance
Public surveys are also part of the ranking, so the index looks at how people experience technology in everyday life, not only how much infrastructure a city has in place. A 2025 survey among residents in the UAE capital also found that living in Abu Dhabi feels better than before, with an overall happiness score of 7.88 out of 10.
Another reason to be proud of where you live: in 2026, Abu Dhabi and Dubai rank among the safest cities in the world, also securing spots in the global top 10.
Other GCC capitals also appeared in the 2026 Smart City Index:
- Riyadh: 24th place
- Doha: 34th
- Manama: 53rd
- Kuwait City: 95th
- Muscat: 103rd
The top five cities in the ranking are all European, with Zurich in first place, followed by Oslo, Geneva, London, and Copenhagen.
