Manila Ranks Lower in Global Smart Cities List

Key Takeaways

Manila ranks 125th out of 146 cities in the latest IMD Smart City Index, dropping from 121st last year and 100th in 2021.
The city’s rating is “C” for both infrastructure and technology, with corruption and health services viewed as the most pressing issues by residents.
Zurich leads the index, followed by Oslo, while cities like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are among the lowest ranked.

Manila’s Decline in Smart City Ranking

The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has released its latest Smart City Index, revealing that Manila has continued its downward trajectory, now ranking 125th out of 146 cities worldwide. This marks a decline from its 121st position last year, significantly down from 100th in 2021 and 95th in 2020.

The IMD Smart City Index evaluates cities based on the perceptions of residents regarding the structures and technology available to them. It focuses on both economic and technological aspects as well as the “humane dimensions” of smart cities, such as quality of life and environmental factors. The index assesses cities through two main pillars: the structural quality of infrastructure and the availability of technological services. Both pillars are rated from AAA to D, with Manila receiving a “C” rating in each.

Survey respondents identified five key issues they perceive as urgent: corruption and transparency (61.2%), health services (52.1%), road congestion (46%), unemployment (44.8%), and air pollution (42.8%). Other concerns included public transport, security, affordable housing, and social mobility, among others.

Zurich, Switzerland, maintained its position at the top of the index, followed by Oslo, Norway. The top ten also includes Geneva, Dubai, London, Copenhagen, Canberra, Singapore, and Lausanne. At the lower end of the ranking, cities such as Rio de Janeiro, Sana’a, and São Paulo were listed among the least favorable smart cities.

This latest index highlights the challenges Manila faces in becoming a more effective smart city, particularly in addressing the urgent concerns raised by its residents. The falling ranking underscores the need for local authorities to enhance infrastructure and technological solutions to improve overall quality of life and address pressing issues like corruption and health services.

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