UAE ranked in top 10 in World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2021

The UAE has ranked in tenth place in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2021.

The 2021 ranking proves that the UAE has lead the Middle East and North African region and outperformed some major economies, such as Finland, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Germany, France, Japan and Belgium.

The UAE (18th in 2017, 10th in 2021) shows strong advancements as its digital competitiveness has been boosted by increasing investments in digital technologies in the private sector as well as the development of e-government services.

Speaking about this major achievement, Mohammad bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and President of the Emirates Competitiveness Council, said that the UAE’s top ten rating in the World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2021 is a new achievement, which is part of its efforts to enhance its prominent stature as one of the world’s best countries.

He added,

"The UAE has proven its ability to overcome challenges and turn them into inspiring opportunities, due to the visions of President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces,"

"This achievement is to be added to the country’s record in global competitiveness and highlights its ability to keep pace with its significant new government work approach. It also highlights the government’s future aspirations and its strategic goal to achieve overall progress,"

Based on research, the methodology of the WDC ranking defines digital competitiveness into three main factors: Knowledge Technology Future readiness In turn, each of these factors is divided into 3 sub-factors which highlight every facet of the areas analyzed. Altogether, the WDC features 9 such sub-factors.

In this year’s report, the UAE topped MENA countries, ranking first in all key categories, as well as fifth globally in "Technology," 12th in "Readiness for the Future," and jumping 13 places to 18th in "Knowledge."

In the report’s nine sub-factors, the UAE was ranked first globally in "Talent," advancing four places compared to last year’s report, as well as second globally in "Regulatory framework," fifth globally in "Technological framework," 25th globally in "Education and training," and 10th globally in "Business agility" and "IT integration."

The UAE was ranked first globally in four indexes, which are "Cybersecurity", "Net flow of international students," "Immigration laws" and "Mobile broadband subscribers." The country was ranked second globally in "Foreign highly-skilled personnel," "International experience" and "Attitudes toward globalisation," and third globally in "Management of cities," "Companies’ use of big data and analytics," and "Opportunities and threats."

The UAE advanced significantly in several indexes in the report, jumping 31 places in both "Internet users" taking the 4th globally, and "Higher education achievement", comin16th globally.

The country also jumped 22 positions in the "Mobile broadband Subscribers" index, ranking 12th globally, as well as nine positions in the "Women with degrees" index, reaching tenth place globally.

News Source: Emirates News Agency