Brussels

Smart city ranking
35 Out of 141
45 out of 118 in 2021
BBB BBB in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
A Technologies
Group
1
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
1,226,329
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.953
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.919 0.931 0.928 0.937 +0.009
Life expectancy at birth 81.5 81.6 80.8 81.9 +1.1
Expected years of schooling 19.7 19.8 18.0 18.0 0.0
Mean years of schooling 11.8 12.1 11.4 11.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 43,821 52,085 22,020 23,079 +1,058

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
57.9%
security
56.1%
road congestion
47.0%
air pollution
39.3%
unemployment
36.3%
health services
26.4%
public transport
24.3%
corruption
24.0%
fulfilling employment
23.8%
school education
22.6%
green spaces
22.6%
basic amenities
21.2%
recycling
20.6%
social mobility
17.3%
citizen engagement
14.4%
% 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
59.7%
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)
71.0%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
54.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
59.9
Public safety is not a problem
46.4
Air pollution is not a problem
28.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
66.5
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
32.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
28.6
Public transport is satisfactory
58.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.2
Most children have access to a good school
58.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
62.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
53.0
Minorities feel welcome
49.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
65.6
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
73.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
55.5
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
42.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
40.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
47.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
46.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
58.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.1
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
53.4
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
45.9
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
61.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
42.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
49.2
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
53.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
61.3
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
52.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
61.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
53.5
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
54.1
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
66.5
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
73.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.7
Online voting has increased participation
50.9
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
48.1
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
62.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
1,226,329
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.953
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.919 0.931 0.928 0.937 +0.009
Life expectancy at birth 81.5 81.6 80.8 81.9 +1.1
Expected years of schooling 19.7 19.8 18.0 18.0 0.0
Mean years of schooling 11.8 12.1 11.4 11.4 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 43,821 52,085 22,020 23,079 +1,058

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
57.9%
security
56.1%
road congestion
47.0%
air pollution
39.3%
unemployment
36.3%
health services
26.4%
public transport
24.3%
corruption
24.0%
fulfilling employment
23.8%
school education
22.6%
green spaces
22.6%
basic amenities
21.2%
recycling
20.6%
social mobility
17.3%
citizen engagement
14.4%

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
59.7%
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)
71.0%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
54.3
Recycling services are satisfactory
59.9
Public safety is not a problem
46.4
Air pollution is not a problem
28.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
66.5
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
32.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
28.6
Public transport is satisfactory
58.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.2
Most children have access to a good school
58.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
62.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
53.0
Minorities feel welcome
49.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
65.6
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
73.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
55.5
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
42.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
40.6
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
47.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
46.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
58.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.1
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
53.4
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
45.9
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
61.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
42.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
49.2
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
53.7
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
61.3
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
52.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
61.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
53.5
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
54.1
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
66.5
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
73.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
43.7
Online voting has increased participation
50.9
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
48.1
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
62.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max