Cape Town

Smart city ranking
105 Out of 118
103 in 2020
C D in 2020
Factor ratings
C Structures
C Technologies
Group
4
All ratings range from AAA to D
City Population 4,620,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.702 0.704 0.705 0.709 +0.004
Life expectancy at birth 63.2 63.5 63.9 64.1 +0.2
Expected years of schooling 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.8 +0.1
Mean years of schooling 10.2 10.2 10.2 10.2 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 11,908 11,864 11,756 12,129 +373

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left hand section of each bar shows the Alignment - the proportion of those respondents who also answered the corresponding survey questions low. A strong Alignment implies that these areas also demand priority attention.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
unemployment
74.0%
affordable housing
64.5%
security
53.3%
basic amenities
49.3%
health services
49.0%
corruption
48.7%
fulfilling employment
41.5%
school education
27.2%
public transport
22.6%
road congestion
21.5%
air pollution
11.3%
recycling
10.0%
citizen engagement
8.9%
social mobility
8.0%
green spaces
6.5%
% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
72.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
84.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
65.7%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
69.8%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
41.6
Recycling services are satisfactory
55.2
Public safety is not a problem
27.0
Air pollution is not a problem
37.4
Medical services provision is satisfactory
53.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
26.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
30.9
Public transport is satisfactory
43.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
44.3
Most children have access to a good school
45.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
48.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
46.8
Minorities feel welcome
44.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.7
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
53.4
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
22.3
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
36.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
46.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
51.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
53.4
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.9
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
54.8
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
34.4
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
57.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
52.9
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
43.9
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
41.0
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
60.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
64.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
51.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
53.3
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
61.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
78.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
36.9
Online voting has increased participation
43.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
46.8
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
56.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City Population 4,620,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.702 0.704 0.705 0.709 +0.004
Life expectancy at birth 63.2 63.5 63.9 64.1 +0.2
Expected years of schooling 13.7 13.7 13.7 13.8 +0.1
Mean years of schooling 10.2 10.2 10.2 10.2 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 11,908 11,864 11,756 12,129 +373

Priority Areas

From a list of 15 indicators, survey respondents were asked to select 5 that they perceived as the most urgent for their city. This is the total bar. The higher the percentage of responses per area, the greater the priority for the city.

The left hand section of each bar shows the Alignment - the proportion of those respondents who also answered the corresponding survey questions low. A strong Alignment implies that these areas also demand priority attention.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
unemployment
74.0%
affordable housing
64.5%
security
53.3%
basic amenities
49.3%
health services
49.0%
corruption
48.7%
fulfilling employment
41.5%
school education
27.2%
public transport
22.6%
road congestion
21.5%
air pollution
11.3%
recycling
10.0%
citizen engagement
8.9%
social mobility
8.0%
green spaces
6.5%

Attitudes

% of respondents who agree or strongly agree with the statement
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%100%
You are willing to concede personal data in order to improve traffic congestion
72.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
84.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
65.7%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
69.8%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
41.6
Recycling services are satisfactory
55.2
Public safety is not a problem
27.0
Air pollution is not a problem
37.4
Medical services provision is satisfactory
53.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
26.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
30.9
Public transport is satisfactory
43.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
44.3
Most children have access to a good school
45.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
48.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
46.8
Minorities feel welcome
44.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.7
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
53.4
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
22.3
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
36.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
46.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
51.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
53.4
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.9
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
54.8
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
34.4
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
57.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
52.9
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
43.9
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
41.0
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
60.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
64.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
51.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
53.3
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
61.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
78.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
36.9
Online voting has increased participation
43.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
46.8
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
56.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max