10 statistics to know about smart cities

Today, cities around the world are using data and technology to create efficiencies, improve sustainability, drive economic development, and improve the overall quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

Below are some interesting statistics about smart cities:

  • The global Smart Cities market size will grow from approximately US$ 410.8 billion in 2020 to US$ 820.7 billion by 2025
  • In 2008, about 50% of the world’s population lived in cities. By 2040, this number is expected to increase to 65%.
  • There are already more than 500 cities globally that have at least 1 million inhabitants. By way of comparison, in 1900, there were only 12 such cities.
  • In 1975, there were only three megacities (+10 million citizens) around the globe: New York, Tokyo and Mexico City. Today, there are 21 megacities worldwide, and by 2025, there will be 29.
  • There are four key areas of Smart City investment: innovation, buildings and construction, energy and water and waste management.
  • The use of digital government services tripled between 2006 and 2016 in OECD countries, with 36% of citizens submitting forms through public authority websites in 2016.
  • In 2020, Singapore was ranked as the smart city most ready to host autonomous vehicles.
  • New York has installed cameras and sensors at 10,000 city intersections, aiming to invest in connected infrastructure and adaptive signals.
  • In 2020, London launched the Smart Mobility Living Lab (SMLL), the world’s most advanced urban testbed. SMLL provides 5G connectivity for connected and autonomous vehicles.
  • Since 2010, since Paris first started implementing smart solutions to improve road safety and traffic management, traffic deaths in the city have fallen by 40%.