Abu Dhabi

Smart city ranking
13 Out of 141
12 out of 118 in 2021
BB A in 2021
Factor ratings
BB Structures
BB Technologies
Group
3
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
3,652,029
(UN World Urbanisation Prospects 2022 estimate)
HDI
0.911
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.866 0.890 0.912 0.911 -0.001
Life expectancy at birth 77.8 78.0 79.0 78.7 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 13.6 14.3 15.7 15.7 0.0
Mean years of schooling 11.0 12.1 11.3 11.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 66,912 67,462 45,232 46,112 +879

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
72.0%
fulfilling employment
52.0%
unemployment
50.0%
health services
34.4%
road congestion
29.7%
air pollution
26.8%
green spaces
26.5%
public transport
26.4%
school education
23.5%
basic amenities
21.6%
citizen engagement
20.7%
recycling
20.5%
social mobility
18.7%
security
16.4%
corruption
12.4%
% 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
75.2%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
90.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
91.9%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
68.2%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
84.9
Recycling services are satisfactory
86.4
Public safety is not a problem
70.7
Air pollution is not a problem
56.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
88.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
51.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
59.9
Public transport is satisfactory
83.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.1
Most children have access to a good school
76.0
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
70.7
Businesses are creating new jobs
67.1
Minorities feel welcome
81.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
82.6
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
84.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
84.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
66.0
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
65.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
71.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
80.8
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
76.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
72.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
87.2
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
60.4
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
86.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
65.1
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
73.6
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
68.4
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
81.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
80.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
78.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
77.0
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
77.0
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
85.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
88.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
70.1
Online voting has increased participation
67.3
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
73.3
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
83.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
3,652,029
(UN World Urbanisation Prospects 2022 estimate)
HDI
0.911
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.866 0.890 0.912 0.911 -0.001
Life expectancy at birth 77.8 78.0 79.0 78.7 -0.2
Expected years of schooling 13.6 14.3 15.7 15.7 0.0
Mean years of schooling 11.0 12.1 11.3 11.3 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 66,912 67,462 45,232 46,112 +879

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
72.0%
fulfilling employment
52.0%
unemployment
50.0%
health services
34.4%
road congestion
29.7%
air pollution
26.8%
green spaces
26.5%
public transport
26.4%
school education
23.5%
basic amenities
21.6%
citizen engagement
20.7%
recycling
20.5%
social mobility
18.7%
security
16.4%
corruption
12.4%

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
75.2%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
90.6%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
91.9%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
68.2%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
84.9
Recycling services are satisfactory
86.4
Public safety is not a problem
70.7
Air pollution is not a problem
56.8
Medical services provision is satisfactory
88.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
51.7
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
59.9
Public transport is satisfactory
83.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
64.1
Most children have access to a good school
76.0
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
70.7
Businesses are creating new jobs
67.1
Minorities feel welcome
81.2
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
82.6
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
84.8
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
84.2
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
66.0
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
65.5
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
71.9
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
80.8
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
76.8
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
72.8
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
87.2
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
60.4
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
86.2
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
65.1
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
73.6
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
68.4
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
81.8
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
80.5
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
78.7
IT skills are taught well in schools
77.0
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
77.0
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
85.9
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
88.7
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
70.1
Online voting has increased participation
67.3
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
73.3
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
83.1
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max