The UAE has achieved top global rankings in several digital transformation indices, according to the second edition of the State of Digital Transformation Report.

The report was released by the UAE’s Higher Committee for Government Digital Transformation during the recent Digital Readiness Retreat. It revealed the country’s progress across 12 key sectors.

The UAE ranked first globally in telecommunications infrastructure, the institutional framework for digital government, and the digital content index. It also led the UN indices for digital knowledge and governance frameworks.

Additionally, the UAE topped the Government AI Readiness Index 2024 by Oxford Insights. It ranked third in government service delivery and fourth in the World Bank’s GovTech Maturity Index. The country also placed 11th in both the IMD Digital Competitiveness Index and the UN E-Government Development Index.

Ohood bint Khalfan Al Roumi, Minister of State for Government Development and the Future and Chair of the Committee, announced that digital readiness is central to the UAE leadership’s vision. She stated that the government aims to eliminate bureaucracy and improve quality of life through technology.

The report highlighted digital achievements over the past year and called for continued efforts to meet national digital goals. It reported:

• AED368 billion saved for users
• AED20 billion in government cost reductions

It also noted that 530 million labour hours were saved and carbon emissions were reduced by 55.8 million tonnes.

In 2024, UAE federal entities processed 173.7 million digital transactions. Government websites recorded 131.5 million visits, and apps were downloaded 26.3 million times. Currently, 1,419 digital services are available, including 195 priority services.

The report revealed that the satisfaction rate for digital services reached 91 percent. More than 57 million users have benefited. There are now 460 active digital transformation projects across federal agencies.

In the digital identity sector, 10.8 million individuals used the UAE Pass. This service now connects to 15,000 offerings and supports 2.6 billion integrated transactions.

The economy sector reported 5.2 million digital tax transactions. It also processed 316,800 certificates of origin and 64,100 trademark registration and renewal requests.

The finance sector handled 8,300 vendor registrations, 2,500 financial market employee accreditations, and 1,000 foreign investment fund renewals.

In human resources, 13.2 million work permit applications and 8 million employment contracts were processed. Additionally, 1.2 million training hours were delivered through the Jahiz digital learning platform.

Healthcare achievements included 2 million prescriptions through robotic pharmacies, 1 million AI chest X-rays, and 437,900 remote consultations.

The education sector digitally served 1.4 million individuals and handled 445,700 university course registrations.

Community services processed 115,600 digital inquiries, 243,800 zakat and donation transactions, and 125,700 fatwa and zakat calculation requests.

Justice and security services completed 4.2 million traffic fine payments, 1.5 million vehicle registrations, and 417,800 criminal record certificate applications.

The identity and residency sector managed 4.7 million Emirates ID renewals and 1.6 million private sector residency permits. It also completed 596,200 digital document attestations.

Infrastructure and logistics revealed 5,900 housing assistance requests, 68,500 national transport permits, and 3,000 nuclear activity licenses.

In the environment sector, authorities processed 76,600 plant health certificates, 39,600 veterinary export certificates, and 59,900 agricultural product clearances.

In culture, 2,400 library memberships were issued. Officials also registered 368 cultural artifacts and approved 162 event space rentals.

The report confirmed that the UAE continues to lead in digital transformation globally.

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