The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have achieved remarkable success in the 2024 ICT Development Index, surpassing many developed nations. Kuwait has emerged as the top-ranked country globally, while Qatar, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates also secured impressive positions. This development highlights the significant advancements in information and communications technology (ICT) within the region.
In the latest index, Kuwait ranks first in the world and in the Arab world, followed by Qatar in fourth globally, Bahrain in sixth, and the UAE in seventh. Saudi Arabia and Oman also made notable appearances, ranking 14th and 36th in the world, respectively. This achievement underscores the GCC's commitment to enhancing connectivity and technology access across the region.
The ICT Development Index, monitored by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), evaluates the availability of ICT in approximately 170 countries. The index includes nine sub-indices categorized under comprehensive and meaningful communication indicators, which assess various aspects such as internet usage, household access, and mobile broadband subscriptions. The comprehensive communication indicators revealed that all GCC countries reported 100% internet usage among individuals and households, showcasing their robust infrastructure.
Despite the impressive results, the ITU has opted not to disclose specific global rankings in its official report, raising questions about the consistency of definitions and data collection methods across countries. Nonetheless, the Gulf countries' superior performance may reflect their ongoing investments in technology and infrastructure, positioning them as leaders in the global ICT landscape.
- The ICT Development Index is a vital tool for benchmarking countries' progress in ICT. It comprises both comprehensive communication indicators, such as the percentage of individuals using the internet, and meaningful communication indicators, which evaluate the quality and accessibility of services. The index's methodology has been revised, leading to the reintroduction of rankings after a hiatus since 2018.
- Finland, Estonia, and Singapore follow Kuwait in the rankings, demonstrating that while GCC countries lead in certain metrics, global competition remains fierce. The regional focus on improving mobile and broadband services has positioned the GCC as a model for other nations aiming to enhance their ICT capabilities.
