Seoul

Smart city ranking
13 Out of 118
47 in 2020
BBB BB in 2020
Factor ratings
B Structures
A Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City Population 9,960,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.901 0.904 0.906 0.916 +0.010
Life expectancy at birth 82.4 82.6 82.8 83.0 +0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.4 16.4 16.4 16.5 +0.1
Mean years of schooling 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 35,122 35,945 36,757 43,044 +6,287

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%
air pollution
68.6%
affordable housing
54.2%
fulfilling employment
46.1%
unemployment
45.1%
corruption
38.7%
road congestion
36.2%
security
31.3%
basic amenities
30.5%
recycling
26.1%
public transport
23.2%
green spaces
15.1%
school education
12.1%
social mobility
11.7%
health services
10.4%
citizen engagement
8.5%
% 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
52.3%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
75.4%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
54.5%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
72.1%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
72.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
71.0
Public safety is not a problem
63.3
Air pollution is not a problem
13.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
77.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
35.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
23.3
Public transport is satisfactory
72.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
58.8
Most children have access to a good school
58.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.3
Businesses are creating new jobs
47.4
Minorities feel welcome
31.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
55.2
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
69.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
60.4
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
26.4
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
51.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
51.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
59.1
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
67.2
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
74.6
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
74.1
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
66.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
70.4
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
45.6
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
52.9
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
49.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
71.6
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
78.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
64.8
IT skills are taught well in schools
60.7
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
56.1
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.5
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
77.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.9
Online voting has increased participation
59.0
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
60.2
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
74.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City Population 9,960,000 (UN World Urbanization Prospects)
Country 2016 2017 2018 2019 1 yr change
HDI 0.901 0.904 0.906 0.916 +0.010
Life expectancy at birth 82.4 82.6 82.8 83.0 +0.2
Expected years of schooling 16.4 16.4 16.4 16.5 +0.1
Mean years of schooling 12.2 12.2 12.2 12.2 +0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 35,122 35,945 36,757 43,044 +6,287

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%
air pollution
68.6%
affordable housing
54.2%
fulfilling employment
46.1%
unemployment
45.1%
corruption
38.7%
road congestion
36.2%
security
31.3%
basic amenities
30.5%
recycling
26.1%
public transport
23.2%
green spaces
15.1%
school education
12.1%
social mobility
11.7%
health services
10.4%
citizen engagement
8.5%

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
52.3%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
75.4%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
54.5%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
72.1%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
72.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
71.0
Public safety is not a problem
63.3
Air pollution is not a problem
13.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
77.0
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
35.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
23.3
Public transport is satisfactory
72.0
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
58.8
Most children have access to a good school
58.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.3
Businesses are creating new jobs
47.4
Minorities feel welcome
31.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
55.2
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
69.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
60.4
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
26.4
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
51.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
51.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
59.1
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
67.2
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
74.6
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
74.1
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
66.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
70.4
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
45.6
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
52.9
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
49.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
71.6
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
78.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
64.8
IT skills are taught well in schools
60.7
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
56.1
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.5
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
77.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.9
Online voting has increased participation
59.0
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
60.2
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
74.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max