The Sultanate of Oman has achieved significant progress in the UN E-Government Index 2024, advancing by 9 positions and ranking 41st out of 193 countries globally. This remarkable leap from its 50th position in 2022 places Oman as the 5th best country in the Middle East and North Africa region and the 12th best in Asia.
UN E-Government Index Overview The index, designed by the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, is published biennially. The E-Government Index consists of three main sub-indices: Online Service Index, Telecommunications Infrastructure Index, and Human Capital Index.
Oman’s Improvement in Online Service Index In 2024, Oman advanced 10 positions in the Online Service Index, ranking 48th globally. This index evaluates official e-government portals and government websites in various sectors, including education, health, social development, finance, employment, environment, and open data initiatives.
Advances in Telecommunications Infrastructure The Telecommunications Infrastructure Index measures the country’s readiness based on four criteria: broadband internet penetration, percentage of internet users, number of mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and number of fixed internet subscriptions per 100 people.
Oman’s Rise in the Human Capital Index Additionally, Oman made significant progress in the Human Capital Index, rising 14 positions to rank 55th globally in 2024. This improvement reflects the country’s enhanced education levels, assessed through indicators such as adult literacy rate, enrollment rates in primary and secondary education, expected years of schooling, and average years of schooling.
Oman Among Top 50 in AI Readiness Index According to the report, Oman, leveraging its strong ICT infrastructure and broad internet access, is among the top 50 countries in the Government AI Readiness Index. The digitization of the 2020 census improved data accuracy, and the fully digital electoral process in the recent Shura Council elections also highlights Oman’s progress in this field.
GCC Success in Digital Government Transformation GCC member states have also achieved remarkable success in digital government transformation. The UN report states: “These countries have embraced the digital revolution as part of broader strategies for economic diversification, making significant investments in digital infrastructure, e-services, and smart technologies.”
GCC Countries’ Ranking in E-Government Index In the overall GCC rankings, Saudi Arabia ranks 6th, the UAE ranks 11th, Bahrain ranks 18th, Qatar ranks 53rd, and Kuwait ranks 66th.
Strategic Importance of Digital Collaboration in the GCC The report also highlights that “A key factor in the success of these countries is the strategic importance given to digital collaboration among GCC countries. This approach has facilitated the sharing of advancements and regional integration in the field of digital government.”
source: Oman’s Advancement in the UN E-Government Index: 9-Position Leap in 2024 (zawya.com)
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