Dubai has claimed the top spot as the most digitally dependent city in the world for 2025, according to a recent study by ZeroBounce. The ranking assessed cities based on key digital infrastructure components, including internet speed, public Wi-Fi availability, CCTV coverage, and smart city solutions such as pollution monitoring and real-time traffic updates. With an impressive overall score of 79.1, Dubai outshined its global competitors, especially with its extensive CCTV coverage and high-speed internet, ranking second worldwide for internet performance.
Shanghai and Seoul follow closely behind, securing second and third place in the rankings. Shanghai excelled in pollution monitoring and digital transport infrastructure, while Seoul was noted for its strong public Wi-Fi accessibility and high CCTV coverage. Despite trailing Dubai in internet speed, both cities demonstrated solid performance in their respective digital infrastructures. Shanghai’s online maintenance reporting system even outperformed Dubai’s by 8%, further solidifying its place as a tech leader.
Beijing and Singapore also emerged as digital powerhouses in Asia, with Beijing ranking fourth and Singapore in fifth. Both cities scored high in pollution monitoring and digital transport solutions, while Singapore’s CCTV coverage surpassed Dubai’s. These findings emphasize Asia’s stronghold in digital infrastructure, with Middle Eastern cities like Dubai and Asian cities like Shanghai leading the charge in creating safer and more connected environments through technological advancements.
The study also highlighted cities in Europe and North America, with Amsterdam taking the lead in Europe, ranking seventh globally. New York City represented North America in ninth place, though it lagged behind its European and Asian counterparts in areas such as transport digitization. The data underlines a growing global reliance on digital infrastructure to improve public safety, mobility, and essential services, marking a shift towards digital-first urban development.
SOURCE: TECH ECONOMY