San José

Smart city ranking
127 Out of 141
112 out of 118 in 2021
C D in 2021
Factor ratings
CC Structures
C Technologies
Group
3
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
351,958
(UN Data)
HDI
0.826
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.794 0.810 0.816 0.809 -0.007
Life expectancy at birth 80.1 80.3 79.3 77.0 -2.3
Expected years of schooling 15.7 15.7 16.6 16.6 0.0
Mean years of schooling 8.7 8.7 12.9 12.9 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 18,371 18,486 47,946 49,452 +1,506

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%
security
77.2%
corruption
65.3%
unemployment
64.0%
road congestion
55.5%
affordable housing
39.5%
fulfilling employment
38.5%
health services
28.8%
basic amenities
19.0%
public transport
18.8%
air pollution
16.7%
recycling
15.0%
citizen engagement
15.0%
school education
13.0%
social mobility
12.0%
green spaces
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
60.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
74.2%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
45.0%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
68.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
47.5
Recycling services are satisfactory
50.6
Public safety is not a problem
27.7
Air pollution is not a problem
38.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
61.3
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
29.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
13.8
Public transport is satisfactory
30.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
53.4
Most children have access to a good school
51.0
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
51.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
40.8
Minorities feel welcome
38.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
65.2
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
41.0
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
14.2
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
23.7
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
29.6
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
32.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
32.9
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.2
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.5
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
21.8
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
56.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
34.4
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
39.0
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
26.2
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
36.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
39.6
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
56.3
IT skills are taught well in schools
35.6
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
40.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
59.3
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
72.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
22.8
Online voting has increased participation
23.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
28.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
46.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
351,958
(UN Data)
HDI
0.826
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.794 0.810 0.816 0.809 -0.007
Life expectancy at birth 80.1 80.3 79.3 77.0 -2.3
Expected years of schooling 15.7 15.7 16.6 16.6 0.0
Mean years of schooling 8.7 8.7 12.9 12.9 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 18,371 18,486 47,946 49,452 +1,506

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%
security
77.2%
corruption
65.3%
unemployment
64.0%
road congestion
55.5%
affordable housing
39.5%
fulfilling employment
38.5%
health services
28.8%
basic amenities
19.0%
public transport
18.8%
air pollution
16.7%
recycling
15.0%
citizen engagement
15.0%
school education
13.0%
social mobility
12.0%
green spaces
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
60.0%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
74.2%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
45.0%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
68.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
47.5
Recycling services are satisfactory
50.6
Public safety is not a problem
27.7
Air pollution is not a problem
38.3
Medical services provision is satisfactory
61.3
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
29.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
13.8
Public transport is satisfactory
30.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
53.4
Most children have access to a good school
51.0
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
51.8
Businesses are creating new jobs
40.8
Minorities feel welcome
38.4
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
61.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
65.2
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
41.0
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
14.2
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
23.7
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
29.6
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
32.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
32.9
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.2
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
49.5
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
21.8
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
56.6
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
34.4
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
39.0
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
26.2
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
36.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
39.6
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
56.3
IT skills are taught well in schools
35.6
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
40.9
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
59.3
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
72.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
22.8
Online voting has increased participation
23.6
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
28.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
46.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max