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Doha, Qatar: Qatar has maintained a strong position in global digital development, scoring 98.4 out of 100 in the 2026 edition of the International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI).
In a statement by the Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), the achievement reflects Qatar's advanced digital infrastructure, high-quality telecommunications services and sustained digital transformation.
The report showed particularly strong performance across several digital connectivity indicators, with Qatar recording a 100% normalized score for individuals using the Internet, households with Internet access at home, mobile broadband subscriptions, and 3G/4G network coverage.
It also recorded a 100% normalized score for mobile phone ownership. Qatar's meaningful connectivity score stood at 96.7, while its universal connectivity performance was also particularly strong.
The score is unchanged from 2025, when Qatar also recorded 98.4, after rising from 97.8 in 2024 and 97.3 in 2023, according to the latest ITU report.
Qatar's 2026 score places it well above the global average of 79, with the ITU reporting that 59 of the 159 economies assessed scored between 90 and 100. The highest score recorded was 100 and the lowest at 25.
The ITU said the 2026 index covers 159 economies and is based on two pillars, the universal connectivity and meaningful connectivity.
The report also indicated limitations in the study such as that the IDI does not capture every aspect of digital development, including fixed-broadband penetration, internet speed, digital skills, and online safety and security.
