The 2026 Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index 

Artificial intelligence could transform the economic prospects of an entire generation. Across the Commonwealth, 732 million young people aged 15 to 29 are growing up in a world where AI will increasingly shape education, work and business, and how well their countries prepare them will help decide whether it widens opportunity or deepens inequality. 

The 2026 Commonwealth Youth AI Readiness Index, the landmark study from the Ayre Think Tank, is the first comparable assessment of all 56 Commonwealth member states, drawing on 1,128 published sources covering connectivity, skills, employment, enterprise and safeguards. Singapore leads with 77.6 out of 100, while a readiness benchmark of 53 gives every country a fixed line to measure future progress against. 

The stakes are considerable: applying IMF scenarios to the 41 countries below the benchmark reveals an illustrative economic opportunity of $29.2 billion under the moderate scenario, while young people’s appetite for AI is already strong. Download the full report to explore the rankings, the evidence and five practical priorities for turning that interest into real livelihoods and lasting prosperity.