Seoul

Smart city ranking
16 Out of 141
18 out of 118 in 2021
AA AA in 2021
Factor ratings
BBB Structures
AAA Technologies
Group
1
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
9,601,693
(UN Data)
HDI
0.952
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.906 0.916 0.922 0.925 +0.003
Life expectancy at birth 82.8 83.0 83.6 83.7 +0.1
Expected years of schooling 16.4 16.5 16.5 16.5 0.0
Mean years of schooling 12.2 12.2 11.3 11.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 36,757 43,044 28,359 30,027 +1,669

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%
air pollution
61.7%
affordable housing
57.8%
fulfilling employment
49.0%
unemployment
43.2%
corruption
41.8%
road congestion
41.3%
security
31.3%
basic amenities
28.5%
public transport
24.0%
recycling
22.6%
health services
16.0%
green spaces
14.7%
school education
11.7%
social mobility
10.4%
citizen engagement
6.9%
% 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
51.7%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
74.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
51.5%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
73.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
72.5
Recycling services are satisfactory
70.4
Public safety is not a problem
65.4
Air pollution is not a problem
14.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
75.4
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
31.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
21.9
Public transport is satisfactory
71.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.1
Most children have access to a good school
57.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
48.3
Minorities feel welcome
32.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
56.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
69.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
63.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
28.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
52.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
50.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
58.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
70.0
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
76.0
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
78.3
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
67.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
75.6
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
51.4
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
46.1
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
71.9
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
80.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
62.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
56.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
79.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
44.0
Online voting has increased participation
60.3
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
60.0
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
76.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
9,601,693
(UN Data)
HDI
0.952
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.906 0.916 0.922 0.925 +0.003
Life expectancy at birth 82.8 83.0 83.6 83.7 +0.1
Expected years of schooling 16.4 16.5 16.5 16.5 0.0
Mean years of schooling 12.2 12.2 11.3 11.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 36,757 43,044 28,359 30,027 +1,669

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%
air pollution
61.7%
affordable housing
57.8%
fulfilling employment
49.0%
unemployment
43.2%
corruption
41.8%
road congestion
41.3%
security
31.3%
basic amenities
28.5%
public transport
24.0%
recycling
22.6%
health services
16.0%
green spaces
14.7%
school education
11.7%
social mobility
10.4%
citizen engagement
6.9%

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
51.7%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
74.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
51.5%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
73.6%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
72.5
Recycling services are satisfactory
70.4
Public safety is not a problem
65.4
Air pollution is not a problem
14.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
75.4
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
31.3
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
21.9
Public transport is satisfactory
71.8
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
63.1
Most children have access to a good school
57.2
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
63.5
Businesses are creating new jobs
48.3
Minorities feel welcome
32.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
56.4
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
69.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
63.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
28.5
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
52.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
50.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
58.4
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
70.0
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
76.0
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
78.3
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
67.0
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
75.6
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
51.4
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
46.1
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
71.9
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
80.9
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
66.9
IT skills are taught well in schools
62.8
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
56.7
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.0
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
79.3
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
44.0
Online voting has increased participation
60.3
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
60.0
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
76.3
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max