Saudi Arabia advanced to ninth place globally in the auditing and accounting practices indicator in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026, published by the World Competitiveness Center at the International Institute for Management Development (IMD).
The Kingdom’s rise in the rankings reflects ongoing reforms in the accounting and auditing profession aimed at strengthening professional standards, enhancing transparency, improving the reliability of financial reporting, and supporting a more competitive business environment.
Saudi Organization for Chartered and Professional Accountants (SOCPA) CEO Dr. Ahmad Al-Meghames said the achievement underscores the continued development of the Kingdom’s accounting and auditing sector through the adoption of international standards, enhanced regulatory measures, and improved professional practices across the industry.
He noted that Saudi Arabia climbed from 22nd place to ninth place in 2026, highlighting significant progress in the professional and regulatory environment governing the sector. The improvement also reflects higher standards in auditing and accounting practices across the business community and growing confidence in the quality of financial reporting.
Over the past decade, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has adopted international accounting and auditing standards, strengthened regulatory and professional frameworks, invested in capacity-building initiatives, and expanded digital services as part of efforts aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and broader economic transformation goals.
Saudi Arabia has ranked 13th globally overall in the IMD World Competitiveness Yearbook 2026 and secured third place among G20 countries, underscoring the Kingdom’s growing economic strength and competitiveness on the international stage.
The ranking reflects progress across several key areas, including government efficiency, business efficiency, economic performance, and infrastructure, highlighting the impact of ongoing reforms and development initiatives under Saudi Vision 2030.
