Zurich

Smart city ranking
1 Out of 141
1 out of 118 in 2021
AAA AAA in 2021
Factor ratings
AAA Structures
A Technologies
Group
1
All ratings range from AAA to D
City
Population
1,553,423
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.989
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.946 0.955 0.956 0.962 +0.006
Life expectancy at birth 83.6 83.8 83.1 84.0 +0.9
Expected years of schooling 16.2 16.3 16.5 16.5 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 13.0 13.0 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 59,375 69,394 80,286 84,649 +4,364

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
80.3%
road congestion
65.2%
unemployment
33.1%
air pollution
32.6%
security
26.8%
green spaces
26.5%
fulfilling employment
22.8%
public transport
22.4%
recycling
22.3%
health services
18.1%
social mobility
17.1%
basic amenities
13.7%
school education
13.0%
corruption
12.8%
citizen engagement
12.1%
% 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
68.3%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
60.1%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
65.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
76.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
85.0
Recycling services are satisfactory
87.1
Public safety is not a problem
74.7
Air pollution is not a problem
59.2
Medical services provision is satisfactory
86.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
26.4
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
39.2
Public transport is satisfactory
79.6
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
74.1
Most children have access to a good school
84.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
74.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
72.0
Minorities feel welcome
67.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
74.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
84.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
71.1
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
65.0
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
73.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
69.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max
Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
58.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
54.2
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.3
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
48.5
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
39.5
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
59.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.4
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
41.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
50.8
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
78.4
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
55.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
78.0
IT skills are taught well in schools
60.7
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
54.4
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.7
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
78.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
44.6
Online voting has increased participation
49.5
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
48.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
55.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Background Information

City
Population
1,553,423
(Eurostat)
HDI
0.989
Country 2018 2019 2020 2021 1 yr change
HDI 0.946 0.955 0.956 0.962 +0.006
Life expectancy at birth 83.6 83.8 83.1 84.0 +0.9
Expected years of schooling 16.2 16.3 16.5 16.5 0.0
Mean years of schooling 13.4 13.4 13.0 13.0 0.0
GNI per capita (PPP $) 59,375 69,394 80,286 84,649 +4,364

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
80.3%
road congestion
65.2%
unemployment
33.1%
air pollution
32.6%
security
26.8%
green spaces
26.5%
fulfilling employment
22.8%
public transport
22.4%
recycling
22.3%
health services
18.1%
social mobility
17.1%
basic amenities
13.7%
school education
13.0%
corruption
12.8%
citizen engagement
12.1%

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
68.3%
You are comfortable with face recognition technologies to lower crime
60.1%
You feel the availability of online information has increased your trust in authorities
65.2%
The proportion of your day-to-day payment transactions that are non-cash (% of transactions)
76.4%
Legend
City
Group Mean

Structures

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Basic sanitation meets the needs of the poorest areas
85.0
Recycling services are satisfactory
87.1
Public safety is not a problem
74.7
Air pollution is not a problem
59.2
Medical services provision is satisfactory
86.2
Finding housing with rent equal to 30% or less of a monthly salary is not a problem
26.4
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Traffic congestion is not a problem
39.2
Public transport is satisfactory
79.6
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Employment finding services are readily available
74.1
Most children have access to a good school
84.3
Lifelong learning opportunities are provided by local institutions
74.1
Businesses are creating new jobs
72.0
Minorities feel welcome
67.8
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Green spaces are satisfactory
74.8
Cultural activities (shows, bars, and museums) are satisfactory
84.0
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Information on local government decisions are easily accessible
71.1
Corruption of city officials is not an issue of concern
65.0
Residents contribute to decision making of local government
73.1
Residents provide feedback on local government projects
69.5
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max

Technologies

Health & Safety
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online reporting of city maintenance problems provides a speedy solution
58.5
A website or App allows residents to easily give away unwanted items
54.2
Free public wifi has improved access to city services
51.3
CCTV cameras has made residents feel safer
48.5
A website or App allows residents to effectively monitor air pollution
39.5
Arranging medical appointments online has improved access
59.9
Mobility
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Car-sharing Apps have reduced congestion
40.4
Apps that direct you to an available parking space have reduced journey time
41.3
Bicycle hiring has reduced congestion
50.8
Online scheduling and ticket sales has made public transport easier to use
78.4
The city provides information on traffic congestion through mobile phones
55.2
Opportunities (Work & School)
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online access to job listings has made it easier to find work
78.0
IT skills are taught well in schools
60.7
Online services provided by the city has made it easier to start a new business
54.4
The current internet speed and reliability meet connectivity needs
78.7
Activities
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online purchasing of tickets to shows and museums has made it easier to attend
78.5
Governance
Score
0
20
40
60
80100
Online public access to city finances has reduced corruption
44.6
Online voting has increased participation
49.5
An online platform where residents can propose ideas has improved city life
48.4
Processing Identification Documents online has reduced waiting times
55.4
Legend
Min
City
Mean
Max