Saudi Arabia rises in global Open Data Inventory Rankings

Saudi Arabia has achieved notable progress in the 2024 Open Data Inventory (ODIN) report published by Open Data Watch, moving up to 41st place globally out of 197 countries. This represents an improvement of 28 positions compared to the 2022 assessment. The Kingdom also climbed from 15th to 9th place among G20 nations, underscoring its ongoing efforts to enhance transparency and openness in data sharing.

The ODIN report evaluates countries based on two main criteria: the Data Coverage Score, which assesses the range and diversity of official data published, and the Data Openness Score, which measures accessibility and usability. Saudi Arabia recorded a 16-point increase in data coverage and a 15-point improvement in data openness, resulting in a 143% growth in its overall score since 2017. Open Data Watch commended the Kingdom’s progress, attributing it to sustained initiatives and reforms aimed at strengthening its open data ecosystem.

This achievement reflects the work of the General Authority for Statistics (GASTAT), which leads Saudi Arabia’s national statistical system. GASTAT has played a key role in developing statistical products, launching strategic indicators aligned with Saudi Vision 2030, expanding open data availability, and improving access through official digital platforms.

Aligned with the goals of Vision 2030, GASTAT has prioritized strengthening the country’s IT infrastructure to support government entities, businesses, and researchers in using data for strategic planning and decision-making. These efforts have fostered a culture of transparency and open data, raising public awareness of the role of data in advancing sustainable development and innovation.

Saudi Arabia’s advancement in the ODIN rankings reflects its growing reputation as a regional and global hub for official data and statistical indicators. The Kingdom’s commitment to transparency and digital transformation is contributing to a knowledge-based economy, while attracting investment and supporting sustainable development.