Saudi Arabia climbs global ranks in open data transparency

What This Article Is About & Why It Matters

This article highlights Saudi Arabia’s remarkable leap in the 2024 Open Data Inventory (ODIN) rankings—now 41st globally and 9th among G20 countries. Spearheaded by the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), this achievement reflects the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 commitment to transparency, digital innovation, and evidence-based decision-making. It signifies growing global recognition of Saudi Arabia’s open data leadership and support for sustainable development.

Vision-Aligned Article: Saudi Arabia’s Open Data Rise

Saudi Arabia continues to advance global leadership in transparency, digital governance, and data-driven decision-making. According to the 2024 Open Data Inventory (ODIN) report by Open Data Watch, the Kingdom has:

Climbed 28 global ranks since 2022 to 41st place
Improved its G20 position from 15th to 9th
Achieved a 143% improvement in ODIN score since 2017

These rankings reflect Saudi Arabia’s strategic efforts through the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), which develops official statistical products and promotes public access to government data. GASTAT’s commitment to open data culture, digital infrastructure, and transparent indicators is central to Vision 2030.

This rise boosts confidence in Saudi Arabia’s commitment to:

Transparent governance
Strategic planning
Sustainable development

Vision 2030: Transparency & Innovation in Action

The Kingdom’s open data success reinforces Vision 2030 by:

Empowering public and private sector decision-making
Promoting evidence-based policy grounded in real-time data
Enhancing international credibility in digital transformation
Creating a knowledge-based economy driven by transparency

Open data is a cornerstone of Vision 2030’s digital and economic pillars, fueling innovation and encouraging citizen engagement.

Historical Context & International Benchmarks

Historically rooted in unity and vision, Saudi Arabia has always pursued leadership—now extending it into data science and digital transparency. This achievement places the Kingdom alongside countries like South Korea, Canada, and Estonia, known for their open government ecosystems.

As a G20 leader, Saudi Arabia’s data capabilities now serve as a regional benchmark and a model for Arab and Islamic nations modernizing their governance systems.

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Global Data Partnerships

Saudi Arabia warmly invites the world to engage with its open data platforms, research indicators, and policy dashboards. The Kingdom’s progress in transparency opens doors to stronger international collaborations, foreign investments, and academic partnerships.

3 Helpful Government Links

🌐 www.stats.gov.sa – GASTAT’s official portal for national statistics and open data dashboards
🌐 www.vision2030.gov.sa – Discover how open data fuels Saudi Arabia’s transformation under Vision 2030
🌐 www.opendata.gov.sa – Saudi Open Data Platform: Explore datasets for research, planning, and development

Factbox Summary

Saudi Arabia ranked 41st globally in ODIN 2024
Now 9th among G20 nations, up from 15th
143% score increase since 2017
GASTAT leads open data and indicator development
Supports transparency, sustainable growth, and innovation

Discover

Join Saudi Arabia’s journey of data transformation and global transparency leadership. Access, engage, and innovate with a nation that turns information into opportunity—driven by Vision 2030 and led by integrity.

15 Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the ODIN ranking?
The Open Data Inventory (ODIN) ranks countries based on the coverage and accessibility of official statistical data, promoting transparency and good governance.

2. Where does Saudi Arabia rank in 2024?
Saudi Arabia ranks 41st globally and 9th among G20 countries, reflecting substantial improvement since 2022.

3. What agency leads Saudi Arabia’s open data efforts?
The General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT) leads these efforts, providing indicators and expanding access to national statistics.

4. What is GASTAT’s role in Vision 2030?
GASTAT supports Vision 2030 by creating data tools, indicators, and platforms that guide planning and policy decisions.

5. How much has Saudi Arabia improved since 2017?
The Kingdom’s ODIN score has increased by 143%, showing steady progress in data transparency and accessibility.

6. Why is open data important?
Open data promotes public trust, facilitates investment, and enables data-driven decisions in government, academia, and business.

7. How does this impact Saudi Arabia’s economy?
Improved data access supports investment decisions, economic planning, and smarter infrastructure and healthcare strategies.

8. What does this say about Saudi Arabia’s global role?
It confirms Saudi Arabia’s emergence as a leader in digital transparency, innovation, and public sector modernization.

9. How does this ranking compare to G20 countries?
Saudi Arabia jumped to 9th place in the G20 for open data, outperforming many advanced economies.

10. What does “data accessibility” mean?
It means data is easy to find, understand, and use—open to researchers, businesses, and the public via digital platforms.

11. How does GASTAT help researchers and investors?
By offering real-time indicators and comprehensive datasets, GASTAT enables strategic research and data-informed investment decisions.

12. Does this affect Saudi citizens directly?
Yes. Citizens benefit from better services, policies, and economic opportunities shaped by accurate and accessible data.

13. What is Vision 2030’s goal for data?
To become a globally recognized leader in digital governance, transparency, and innovation across all sectors.

14. What global standards does Saudi Arabia follow?
Saudi Arabia aligns with international benchmarks such as the UN SDGs, OECD frameworks, and ODIN metrics.

15. How can the public access Saudi data?
Through digital platforms like www.stats.gov.sa and www.opendata.gov.sa, where national datasets and tools are publicly available.

Final Message from Harry Stuckler

At KSA.com, we proudly celebrate Saudi Arabia’s bold transformation—where data powers development and transparency builds trust. This is not just progress; it’s a future defined by clarity, access, and leadership.

Bringing Saudi Arabia to the world and the world to Saudi Arabia.
By 2030, KSA.com will be the largest platform showcasing Saudi Arabia’s leadership in technology, economy, and culture.

With gratitude,
Harry Stuckler
Editor & Publisher, KSA.com