Muscat – Oman has ascended nine spots to reach the 41st position globally in the 2024 United Nations E-Government Index, advancing from its previous 50th place in 2022. This leap positions Oman as the fifth-highest ranked nation in the Middle East and North Africa region and 12th in Asia.
The biennial UN E-Government Survey, orchestrated by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, uses three main sub-indices for its evaluation: the Online Services Index, the Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, and the Human Capital Index.
Oman’s notable improvement in the 2024 Online Services Index, where it ranked 48th, up ten spots from 2022, highlights its enhanced capabilities in e-government services and official government websites across various sectors including education, health, and finance.
The Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, which assesses readiness through metrics like internet usage and mobile subscriptions, and the Human Capital Index, where Oman ascended 14 positions to 55th globally, both reflect the Sultanate’s ongoing advancements in ICT infrastructure and education.
Oman’s strides in digitalization have also been recognized in the Government AI Readiness Index, where it is now among the top 50 countries. Innovations such as the digitized 2020 census and the fully digital electoral process during recent Consultative Assembly elections underline its digital governance capabilities.
The broader GCC region has also seen significant digital transformation, driven by heavy investments in digital infrastructure and smart technologies. Countries like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Kuwait have made considerable progress, thanks largely to strategic digital cooperation among GCC countries, enhancing regional integration in digital governance.
