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Doha, November 05 (QNA) - The National Planning Council (NPC) announced that Qatar had joined the ranks of the world's top 20 countries in the IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking 2025, marking a significant step forward in the nation's transformation toward a competitive knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy.In a statement, the NPC said this ranking evaluates 69 countries on their ability to adopt and explore digital technologies to drive economic and social progress. Qatar's rise from 26th in 2024 to 20th this year reflects the continuous progress under the Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Third National Development Strategy.The achievement comes alongside Qatar's strong performance in economic competitiveness, where the nation secured 9th place globally. Together, these results position Qatar among the most dynamic and forward-looking economies in the world, combining sound governance, robust digital infrastructure, and a future-ready workforce.The IMD report places Qatar 13th globally in Knowledge, 36th in Technology, and 14th in Future Readiness, highlighting a strong foundation in human capital, digital infrastructure, and adaptive capability to meet future requirements. These results are not only a measure of economic efficiency but also an indication of how national policies are improving the everyday lives of citizens and residents.Faster government services, greater access to online platforms, and a more dynamic private sector are tangible outcomes of the country's digital advancement.Qatar's performance showcases several notable strengths. In the Technology pillar, the country ranks 1st globally in 'Funding for Technological Development' and 1st in 'Banking and Financial Services', underscoring Qatar's position as a leading financial hub with robust investment mechanisms that support innovation and technology-driven growth.In Future Readiness, Qatar ranks 1st globally in the ‘Use of Big Data and Analytics', signaling the growing integration of advanced data systems into both the public and private sectors to inform decision-making and enhance national competitiveness. Within the Knowledge pillar, Qatar's strong performance in 'Digital and Technological Skills', ‘Female Participation in Higher Education', and ‘Employee Training' reflects the country's sustained commitment to nurturing human potential and advancing a workforce ready for the future.The statement added: "This achievement reflects the nation's continued progress toward realizing the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030, as guided by the Third National Development Strategy, the country's roadmap built around seven national outcomes that translate the Vision into measurable action. Among these, Qatar's strong performance directly advances the outcomes of Sustainable Economic Growth, Government Excellence, and a Future-Ready Workforce".It stressed: "Together, they are shaping a more diversified economy, strengthening institutional performance, and empowering people with the skills and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Qatar's rise on the global stage is therefore more than a statistical achievement; it is a national milestone that reflects the effectiveness of its long-term strategy and the shared commitment of its institutions, private sector partners, civil society, and everyone who contributes to its journey toward building a prosperous and sustainable future".Commenting on the results, HE Secretary-General of the National Planning Council Dr. Abdulaziz bin Nasser bin Mubarak Al Khalifa said: "The positive progress reflected across multiple indicators demonstrates Qatar's continued advancement in implementing national strategies, particularly the Third National Development Strategy (2024–2030), in line with the goals of the Qatar National Vision 2030".The IMD World Digital Competitiveness Ranking, issued annually by the Switzerland-based IMD World Competitiveness Center, assesses economiesbased on three main pillars, Knowledge, Technology, and Future Readiness, drawing on more than fifty indicators that evaluate each nation's digital capacity and performance. Qatar's advancement in 2025 places it firmly among the top twenty globally and underscores the success of its comprehensive efforts to align policy, investment, and innovation with the long-term vision of building a prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive future for all. (QNA)
