UAE ranks No. 1 globally for satisfaction with digital government services

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the global leader in citizen satisfaction with digital government services, according to the 2026 Citizen Survey on Digital Government conducted by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). An overwhelming 89% of respondents rated the UAE's digital government services as highly satisfactory. Launched at the inaugural AI Everything Abu Dhabi event, the report highlights the UAE's strong digital government experience and its potential to shape the future of AI-powered public services.

The survey, which encompassed 44 countries, underscored the UAE's prominent position in the use of digital government services, with 53% of respondents reporting the use of such services. Moreover, a substantial 76% of UAE citizens expressed that their most recent digital government transaction exceeded their expectations compared to interactions with private-sector organizations.

The report also sheds light on the UAE's growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI). An impressive 82% of UAE respondents utilize AI on a weekly basis, while 53% believe that the advantages of employing AI in government services outweigh the associated risks. These figures surpass the GCC average of 79% and the global average of 36%.

In terms of government service preferences, the GCC region demonstrates a strong appetite for AI-powered solutions. Three-quarters of citizens in the GCC region are receptive to interacting with AI-enabled government services, compared to a global average of 66%. Specifically, the report identifies AI-agent use cases as promising starting points for governments, with half of the respondents across the GCC preferring AI for simple services and human involvement for more complex services.

Dr. Lars Littig, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG, emphasized the significant opportunity for GCC countries to leverage their digital leadership in the next generation of AI-powered government services. He stressed the importance of enhancing AI literacy and fostering trust to sustain AI adoption, while acknowledging the need for responsible safeguards to ensure the appropriate use of AI.