Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a new Quality of Life Index, created in partnership with UN-Habitat, during the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos. The new index is designed as a global public resource to help people, cities, and governments understand what truly makes city life better and more meaningful.
The announcement was made by Saudi Arabia’s Tourism Minister Ahmed Al-Khateeb, while Saudi Ambassador to the United States Princess Reema bint Bandar described the initiative as a “gift to the world.” The index is closely linked to Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 reforms and focuses on people-first development rather than rankings alone.
This major development has become part of today’s Daily news highlights, drawing attention from global leaders, urban planners, and policymakers.
What Is the Quality of Life Index?
The Quality of Life Index is a new tool that measures how well cities support everyday life. Unlike traditional rankings that focus only on economy or infrastructure, this index looks at life from a human perspective.
It studies factors such as:
- Healthcare and education
- Safety and mobility
- Culture, entertainment, and green spaces
- Opportunities for work, creativity, and personal growth
Minister Al-Khateeb explained that the index answers a basic but important question:
“What kind of city do people actually want to live in?”
He said this question is complex because different age groups have different needs. Young people may look for opportunity and culture, while older citizens may value safety, healthcare, and accessibility.
A Global Resource, Not a Competition
One of the key features of the index is that it is not meant to be a competition. Cities will not be forced to participate. Instead, they can voluntarily register, submit data, and learn where they are doing well and where they need improvement.
Key points shared at Davos:
- Over 120 cities worldwide have already registered
- More than 20 cities have completed the full evaluation process
- The data is owned by UN-Habitat, not Saudi Arabia
Princess Reema emphasized that the index belongs to the world. Saudi Arabia helped develop it, but the goal is to support cities everywhere, regardless of size or wealth.
“This is not about being number one,” she said. “It’s about becoming better for the people you serve.”
How the Index Helps People and Governments
The index is designed to help individuals, families, and leaders make better decisions.
For citizens and families:
- Helps decide where to live, work, retire, or visit
- Shows how cities compare in real-life experiences
- Looks beyond tourism and focuses on daily living
For governments and city leaders:
- Highlights gaps in services and infrastructure
- Supports better planning and smarter investments
- Encourages long-term urban reforms
Al-Khateeb explained that the index separates basic needs like safety and transport from lifestyle experiences such as culture and recreation, helping cities understand priorities clearly.
Human-Centered Vision at the Core
Princess Reema linked the index closely to Saudi Arabia’s social changes under Vision 2030, especially improvements in participation and opportunity for women.
She said real quality of life means people can move freely, work freely, and take part in society without barriers. For her, success is not measured by data alone, but by what people are able to do in their daily lives.
“You cannot be what you cannot see,” she said, pointing to young Saudis now working as artists, athletes, filmmakers, and musicians.
This human-focused approach is one reason the initiative has drawn global interest and is now part of international Breaking News coverage.
Technology Is a Tool, Not the Goal
While technology plays a role in gathering and analyzing data, both speakers stressed that it is not the main focus.
Princess Reema made it clear:
“Human-centric is the goal. Technology is simply the tool.”
The index will continue to evolve as cities change and new generations bring new expectations. It is designed to grow with time, not remain fixed.
Years of Global Consultation Behind the Index
According to Norah Al-Yousef, senior adviser at the Quality of Life Program, the index took nearly four years to develop. During this time, experts consulted cities and governments around the world.
Many leaders told them they did not want another ranking system. Instead, they wanted practical solutions to real problems.
“That feedback changed everything,” Al-Yousef said.
“The goal became helping cities improve, not judging them.”
This shift in thinking is what makes the index different from others and why global adoption is expected to grow.
A New Chapter in Urban Living
The launch of the Quality of Life Index marks a new approach to understanding cities. It focuses on people, fairness, opportunity, and everyday experiences rather than numbers alone.
As cities worldwide face challenges like rapid growth, climate pressure, and social change, this index could become a key tool for shaping better urban futures.
