RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has maintained second place among G20 countries in a UN ICT Development Index, highlighting the resilience of the Kingdom’s digital infrastructure. Published by the international organization’s International Telecommunication Union, the ranking tracks the digital development and progress of 170 nations in information and communication technology services through sub-indicators divided into two axes: inclusive and effective communication. It also measures the strength of digital infrastructure, according to a statement. The analysis also revealed that the Kingdom ranked first among the G20 countries in the effective communication axis and second in the inclusive communication axis, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The Kingdom’s Communications, Space, and Technology Commission indicated that Saudi Arabia’s continuous advancement in the index underscores the robustness of its digital infrastructure and its role in propelling the growth and expansion of the digital economy and attracting investment, the SPA report noted. This comes as the Kingdom’s communication and technology market is the largest and fastest growing in the Middle East and North Africa region, with an estimated value of SR166 billion ($44.2 billion). Moreover, the rate of mobile subscriptions in Saudi Arabia has surpassed 198 percent of the population, while the average monthly data consumption per citizen is three times higher than the global average. In May, a report from Saudi Arabia’s Digital Government Authority revealed that the country witnessed a 20 percent year-on-year increase in government spending on information and communications technology in 2023, reaching SR41.87 billion. The study released at the time indicated that the increase in spending has contributed to enhancing the efficiency of digital government services and improving the experience of beneficiaries. Additionally, the analysis highlighted at the time that the investment had a positive impact on the digital economy, marking a milestone in the Kingdom’s transformation journey. “ICT spending is one of the supporting factors for innovative and flexible solutions that we aspire to provide to all citizens and residents of Saudi Arabia, ensuring the effectiveness of the immense human wealth that populates the country and achieving a high quality of life,” Faisal bin Ahmed Bakhshwin, deputy minister for digital transformation at the Ministry of Human Resource and Social Development said at the time.