Cape Town

Smart city ranking
125 Out of 141
106 out of 118 in 2021
C C in 2021
Factor ratings
C Structures
C Technologies
Group
4
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
4,800,954
(UN World Urbanisation Prospects 2022 estimate)
HDI
0.751
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.705 0.709 0.727 0.713 -0.014
Life expectancy at birth 63.9 64.1 65.3 62.3 -2.9
Expected years of schooling 13.7 13.8 13.6 13.6 0.0
Mean years of schooling 10.2 10.2 13.3 13.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 11,756 12,129 31,102 32,803 +1,701

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%
unemployment
74.8%
affordable housing
64.9%
security
54.2%
corruption
49.5%
health services
45.4%
basic amenities
45.1%
fulfilling employment
38.7%
school education
27.1%
public transport
20.7%
road congestion
20.6%
recycling
11.9%
air pollution
11.6%
green spaces
8.6%
citizen engagement
7.8%
social mobility
6.0%
% 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
70.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
84.1%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
58.6%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
71.5%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
40.9
Recycling services are satisfactory
55.6
Public safety is not a problem
23.3
Air pollution is not a problem
35.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
51.0
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
29.2
Public transport is satisfactory
43.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
42.3
Most children have access to a good school
43.7
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
46.6
Businesses are creating new jobs
45.0
Minorities feel welcome
43.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
58.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
53.3
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
20.6
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
34.4
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
43.0
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
50.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
50.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.5
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.2
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
33.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
58.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
46.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
41.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
36.5
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
58.0
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.1
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
61.4
IT skills are taught well in schools
49.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.8
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
61.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
79.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
31.9
Online voting has increased participation
40.9
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
44.0
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
57.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
4,800,954
(UN World Urbanisation Prospects 2022 estimate)
HDI
0.751
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.705 0.709 0.727 0.713 -0.014
Life expectancy at birth 63.9 64.1 65.3 62.3 -2.9
Expected years of schooling 13.7 13.8 13.6 13.6 0.0
Mean years of schooling 10.2 10.2 13.3 13.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 11,756 12,129 31,102 32,803 +1,701

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%
unemployment
74.8%
affordable housing
64.9%
security
54.2%
corruption
49.5%
health services
45.4%
basic amenities
45.1%
fulfilling employment
38.7%
school education
27.1%
public transport
20.7%
road congestion
20.6%
recycling
11.9%
air pollution
11.6%
green spaces
8.6%
citizen engagement
7.8%
social mobility
6.0%

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
70.8%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
84.1%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
58.6%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
71.5%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
40.9
Recycling services are satisfactory
55.6
Public safety is not a problem
23.3
Air pollution is not a problem
35.1
Medical services provision is satisfactory
51.0
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
29.2
Public transport is satisfactory
43.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
42.3
Most children have access to a good school
43.7
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
46.6
Businesses are creating new jobs
45.0
Minorities feel welcome
43.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
58.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
72.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
53.3
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
20.6
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
34.4
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
43.0
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
50.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
50.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
54.5
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.2
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
33.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
58.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
46.7
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
41.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
36.5
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
58.0
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
56.1
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
61.4
IT skills are taught well in schools
49.4
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
50.8
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
61.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
79.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
31.9
Online voting has increased participation
40.9
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
44.0
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
57.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max