Eight Saudi cities ranked on the 2026 Smart Cities Index, released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), with Riyadh advancing to 24th place globally compared to 27th in 2025, notching up by three spots, In addition, both Hail and Hafar Al-Batin entered the ranking for the first time.
Hail ranked 33rd globally in its first appearance on the list, while Al-Ula jumped to 85th globally compared to 112th the previous year, marking the largest improvement among the Saudi cities included in the index. 
Jeddah ranked 55th, Al-Khobar ranked 64th, while Madinah maintained its position at 67th. In contrast, Makkah fell to 50th place, while Hafar Al-Batin made its debut at 100th globally.
Eight Saudi cities ranked on the 2026 Smart Cities Index, released by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), with Riyadh advancing to 24th place globally compared to 27th in 2025, notching up by three spots, In addition, both Hail and Hafar Al-Batin entered the ranking for the first time.
Hail ranked 33rd globally in its first appearance on the list, while Al-Ula jumped to 85th globally compared to 112th the previous year, marking the largest improvement among the Saudi cities included in the index.
Jeddah ranked 55th, Al-Khobar ranked 64th, while Madinah maintained its position at 67th. In contrast, Makkah fell to 50th place, while Hafar Al-Batin made its debut at 100th globally.
