Singapore, Australia, Malaysia & India rank among top 15 in Commonwealth youth AI readiness index

Singapore leads the 56-country ranking, while Malaysia ranks sixth.

Singapore has ranked first among 56 Commonwealth countries for youth AI readiness, while Malaysia placed sixth, according to a new study examining the conditions that enable young people to benefit from AI.

The Ayre Index: The 2026 Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index, published by the Ayre Think Tank on 6 November 2026, gave Singapore an overall score of 77.6 out of 100. Malaysia ranked sixth with a score of 69.0, while India placed 11^th with 60.6.

The study examined the readiness of approximately 732 million people aged 15 to 29 across all 56 Commonwealth countries. It draws on 1,128 research sources, including official statistics, international databases, surveys, and published studies.

How Commonwealth countries ranked

Coming in second in the ranking was Malta (75.0), followed by Australia (71.0) rounding up the top three.

The top 15 countries in the index were:

1. Singapore: 77.6
2. Malta: 75.0
3. Australia: 71.0
4. United Kingdom: 70.8
5. Canada: 70.2
6. Malaysia: 69.0
7. Cyprus: 67.4
8. Mauritius: 64.4
9. New Zealand: 63.9
10. Brunei Darussalam: 62.3
11. India: 60.6
12. Fiji: 56.9
13. South Africa: 56.8
14. Trinidad and Tobago: 56.5
15. Nigeria: 54.5

The study's readiness benchmark was set at 53 points, with 15 countries meeting or exceeding this threshold. Nigeria was the lowest-ranked country to clear the benchmark, while Seychelles, in 16^th place, scored 51.8.

Across the full ranking, 25 countries recorded scores of 45.5 or higher, with Tanzania occupying 25^th place. The remaining countries in the top 25, from 16^th to 25^th, were:

16. Seychelles: 51.8
17. Ghana: 51.2
18. Jamaica: 50.7
19. Sri Lanka: 49.9
20. Zambia: 48.8
21. Bangladesh: 48.7
22. Kenya: 48.7
23. Uganda: 47.0
24. Pakistan: 46.4
25. Tanzania: 45.5

Digital capabilities and confidence among key strengths highlighted

Singapore's top ranking was supported by its scores in digital capability, access, and young people's confidence in AI. The country scored 9.6 out of 10 for digital, data, media, and AI capability, 9.4 for meaningful access, and the maximum 10.0 for young people's motivation and confidence.

However, the findings also identified areas for improvement. Singapore scored 5.7 for employment and enterprise, and 4.3 for rights, safety, and participation under the Index's assessment framework.

Researchers also highlighted limited information on how young Singaporeans are using AI in practice, including its role in helping them secure employment, establish businesses, and improve their lives. The report noted that understanding these outcomes would be important in sustaining the country's position.

Potential economic implications

The study also outlined the potential economic implications of AI adoption in Singapore. Applying scenarios developed by the International Monetary Fund to World Bank national GDP figures for 2025, researchers estimated that AI could increase the level of Singapore's GDP by approximately US$19.0bn after 10 years under a moderate scenario.

The conservative estimate was US$9.7bn, while the optimistic scenario reached US$28.4bn.

These figures represent possible effects on the level of GDP after 10 years, rather than annual growth or guaranteed economic gains. The researchers also clarified that the estimates apply to the overall economy and do not indicate how much of the potential gains would accrue to young people.

Building the foundations for AI readiness

The Index assessed eight pillars covering technology access, digital capabilities, AI use, education, employment and enterprise, rights and safeguards, confidence, and the ability to question AI.

However, insufficient comparable evidence was available to score the pillar on critical judgement and human agency. As a result, the published rankings were based on 102 indicators across seven pillars. 

The Index identifies five areas for further action: improving affordable and reliable access to technology; strengthening practical skills through education; creating clearer pathways from training into employment and enterprise; developing AI tools suited to local languages and needs, and putting safeguards in place to enable young people to question automated decisions.

It calls on governments, educators and development partners to better understand the barriers faced by young people in their respective countries and direct investment towards areas where it can have the greatest impact.

Lead image: Generated by AI