Geneva, Switzerland, March 31, 2026 (Lusa) – Zurich, Oslo, and Geneva offer the best balance between wellbeing and technology, while Lisbon occupies 117th place, according to the annual IMD Smart City Index of 148 locations.
This year's ranking by the Lausanne-based International Institute for Management Development (IMD) business school places Santiago, Chile, as the top Latin American city.
The 2026 podium remains identical to the previous year. However, London and Copenhagen rose two spots to fourth and fifth place respectively, benefiting from the decline of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Medellín, the highest-ranked Latin American city in 2025, fell three places to 121st. Mexico City follows as the third-highest in the region at 123rd.
Several other Latin American cities occupy lower positions, including San José (129), Brasília (133), Buenos Aires (134), Bogotá (135), San Juan (137), São Paulo (140), San Salvador (141), Lima (144), Guatemala City (147), and Rio de Janeiro, which ranks last at 148th.
Surveys of residents determine the rankings by assessing access to technological tools for services and participation, alongside wellbeing indicators such as healthcare quality, traffic, green spaces, job opportunities, and perceptions of corruption.
Chinese cities feature prominently, with Beijing in 16th place, Shanghai in 20th, and Hong Kong in 21st. Major American metropolises hold more modest positions: Washington ranks 39th, New York 45th, San Francisco 72nd, and Los Angeles 73rd.
Some major European cities rank surprisingly low. Brussels sits at 59th, Paris at 71st, Milan at 101st, and Lisbon at 117th. Rome occupies 143rd place, the sixth-lowest on the list.
Tokyo holds a discreet position, ranking 98th this year compared to 108th in 2025.
City "intelligence" relies on more than just the latest technologies, IMD said. High scores typically align with citizen perceptions of good governance, transparency, and effective digital services.
The Lausanne-based business school added that residents in top-ranked cities tend to perceive greater transparency and engage more actively in processes that shape their quality of life.
ATR/RYOL // AYLS
Lusa
