Hail has announced its direct entry into the Smart Cities Index for 2026, achieving the 33rd position globally out of 148 cities. This accomplishment makes it the highest-ranked new city and reflects the balance it has achieved between digital services and quality of life.
Hail received an overall rating of BB, with an average of 68.1 in the infrastructure category. The city excelled in education (84.6), cultural activities (81.9), digital government services (79.4), and medical services (78.4). These figures indicate a stable service structure that supports quality of life and lays the foundation for sustainable urban growth.
Event Details
In the digital technologies category, Hail recorded an average of 73.2 with a rating of B, showing notable performance in electronic tickets (82.5), health applications (82.3), digital documents (81.5), and public transport (77.0). This performance reflects the city's actual adoption of digital solutions and its transition towards a smart city model in managing daily services.
Despite these achievements, the index results revealed some environmental and regulatory challenges. Air quality scored 37.1, while traffic congestion was rated at 42.8. Additionally, environmental monitoring applications and cycling indicators were around 58. These gaps necessitate enhancing environmental solutions and regulating urban mobility.
Background & Context
Economically, the per capita income adjusted for purchasing power stands at $50,299 annually (approximately 188.6 thousand Saudi Riyals). This level reflects a high purchasing power that supports economic and service activity within the city. When considering the purchasing power of the city's population of around 420,000, annual spending estimates reach about $21.1 billion (approximately 79.2 billion Saudi Riyals), illustrating the scale of economic and service activity in Hail.
In terms of sustainability and the environment, Hail has strengthened its position by securing first place in the Arab Green City Award for 2026, issued by the Arab Cities Organization. This achievement reflects the city's progress in sustainability projects, afforestation, and improving the urban environment.
Impact & Consequences
The city also recorded advanced human indicators, with a human development index of 0.900 and a life expectancy of 78.7 years. These figures place Hail among the cities with high human performance globally, confirming its leadership in quality of life and investment in human capital.
These achievements signal the continuous progress Hail is making across various fields, enhancing its status as a developed urban destination in the Kingdom.
Regional Significance
Hail's success in the Smart Cities Index serves as a model for other Arab cities, demonstrating how technology and digital services can improve quality of life. This achievement also reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to realizing Vision 2030, which aims to develop smart cities and enhance sustainability.
In conclusion, Hail's entry into the Smart Cities Index for 2026 is a significant step towards achieving sustainable development and reflects the efforts made to improve the quality of life in the city.