Birmingham

Smart city ranking
74 Out of 141
73 out of 118 in 2021
BB B in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
BB Technologies
Group
2
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
1,148,862
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.913
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.932 0.924 0.929 +0.005
Life expectancy at birth 81.2 81.3 80.4 80.7 +0.3
Expected years of schooling 17.4 17.5 17.3 17.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.0 13.2 12.8 12.8 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 39,507 46,071 36,993 39,746 +2,753

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, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
69.4%
security
45.9%
health services
42.2%
road congestion
41.8%
unemployment
41.0%
air pollution
34.9%
fulfilling employment
33.2%
green spaces
26.1%
recycling
24.5%
school education
22.6%
public transport
21.2%
basic amenities
18.0%
social mobility
15.7%
corruption
11.8%
citizen engagement
7.3%
% 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
56.1%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
68.3%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
55.3%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
75.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
56.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
63.3
Public safety is not a problem
35.9
Air pollution is not a problem
32.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
55.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
36.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
25.3
Public transport is satisfactory
49.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.4
Most children have access to a good school
60.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
57.6
Businesses are creating new jobs
60.4
Minorities feel welcome
66.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.3
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.4
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
58.8
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
44.9
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
48.8
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
54.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
42.7
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
61.7
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
58.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
60.6
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
40.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
54.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.0
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
45.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
50.1
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
59.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
53.3
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.2
IT skills are taught well in schools
64.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
65.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
73.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
46.5
Online voting has increased participation
55.0
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
46.9
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
53.2
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
1,148,862
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.913
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.920 0.932 0.924 0.929 +0.005
Life expectancy at birth 81.2 81.3 80.4 80.7 +0.3
Expected years of schooling 17.4 17.5 17.3 17.3 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.0 13.2 12.8 12.8 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 39,507 46,071 36,993 39,746 +2,753

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, dark blue section of each bar shows the Alignment, i.e. the proportion of those respondents who also answered the survey on the corresponding area by giving it low priority. A strong Alignment (i.e. consistency across both areas explained) means that these areas may benefit from close observation.

% of respondents who chose the Priority Area
0%
20%
40%
60%
80% 100%
affordable housing
69.4%
security
45.9%
health services
42.2%
road congestion
41.8%
unemployment
41.0%
air pollution
34.9%
fulfilling employment
33.2%
green spaces
26.1%
recycling
24.5%
school education
22.6%
public transport
21.2%
basic amenities
18.0%
social mobility
15.7%
corruption
11.8%
citizen engagement
7.3%

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
56.1%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
68.3%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
55.3%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
75.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
56.1
Recycling services are satisfactory
63.3
Public safety is not a problem
35.9
Air pollution is not a problem
32.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
55.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
36.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
25.3
Public transport is satisfactory
49.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.4
Most children have access to a good school
60.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
57.6
Businesses are creating new jobs
60.4
Minorities feel welcome
66.1
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.3
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.4
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
58.8
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
44.9
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
48.8
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
54.8
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
42.7
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
61.7
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
58.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
60.6
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
40.3
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
54.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
41.0
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
45.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
50.1
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
59.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
53.3
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.2
IT skills are taught well in schools
64.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
65.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
73.9
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
46.5
Online voting has increased participation
55.0
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
46.9
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
53.2
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max