Saudi Arabia ranks first internationally in the Global Knowledge Index 2022 for Internet Usage and ICT Skills
23, February, 2023: The Global Knowledge Index (GKI) 2022, launched by the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) in cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), ranked Saudi Arabia first in two categories, including "percentage of the population using the internet" and "percentage of individuals with standard information and communications technology (ICT) skills." The index provides reliable information to support nations and assist decision-makers in understanding and addressing challenges and variables, as well as exploring prospects and trends.
The index focuses on seven compound sub-indicators that cover the performance of six key knowledge sectors, which include pre-university education; technical education and vocational training; higher education; ICT; innovation, research & development (R&D); and the economy; along with the environment sub-indicator, which mainly focuses on the social, political, economic, health, and environmental contexts of these sectors.
In addition, Saudi Arabia was ranked first in the technical education and vocational training index for the number of students enrolled in post-secondary non-university education in vocational and technical programs.
By emphasizing the connection between knowledge and development and their roles in keeping pace with the ongoing global developments, the GKI highlights the strengths and limitations of the countries it covers. Being the only index in the world that measures knowledge in countries, the GKI is considered a key contributor to the global knowledge system in terms of creating development indicators. Furthermore, it offers reliable information to assist nations and decision-makers in gaining a better understanding of the variables, difficulties, and potential solutions, as well as foreseeing their future and enablers.
The GKI also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s five major strengths, which include individuals with standard ICT skills, the percentage of internet users, households with internet access, the research share of R&D expenditure, and the net enrolment rate in higher secondary education.
Additionally, the Index also highlighted Saudi Arabia’s exceptional performance in the area of cognitive infrastructure, placing it at the 43rd position out of 132 nations and the 41st out of 60 nations with a high human development rate. The Kingdom has also achieved exceptional results in terms of a supportive educational environment.
The GKI is a significant addition to the global body of knowledge development. It offers a range of reliable data that supports nations and decision-makers in comprehending and responding to transformations and challenges, as well as highlighting the key knowledge barriers in realizing sustainable development goals (SDGs) and the 2030 ambitions.
The MBRF released the GKI 2022 results on the sidelines of the Youth Knowledge Forum, which was held in cooperation with the UNDP. The index included 155 variables and 132 countries, including 11 Arab nations.
