Busan has ranked 8th among the world's major smart cities, once again proving its competitiveness as a global innovation hub. The city drew particular attention for taking first place worldwide in the "innovation capability" category, which evaluates whether urban innovation policies translate into actual results.
The Busan Metropolitan Government announced Wednesday that it ranked 8th out of 76 major cities worldwide in the "13th Smart Centres Index (SCI)" released by the U.K.-based Z/Yen.
The Smart Centres Index is a leading international indicator that evaluates a city's technological innovation competitiveness. Based on various statistical data and surveys of global experts, it comprehensively assesses six areas: advanced technology, business environment, human capital, infrastructure, financial support, and reputation.
When Busan first entered the rankings in 2021, it stood at 62nd, but it has since maintained a steep upward trajectory to establish itself among the world's top-tier cities. In this evaluation, it maintained the same 8th place as the previous survey, solidifying its status as a top 10 smart city worldwide.
In the Asia-Pacific region, it took 2nd place for the fourth consecutive time. The city is regarded as having strengthened its position as Asia's leading smart city, standing shoulder to shoulder with competing global cities such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
Busan also demonstrated strengths in the detailed evaluation. It ranked 3rd in advanced technology, 4th in business environment, 4th in human capital, 4th in infrastructure, 5th in financial support, and 6th in reputation, placing within the world's top 10 across all six evaluation areas.
In the advanced technology field in particular, high marks were given for the establishment of the Myeongji-Noksan AX (industrial AI transformation) demonstration industrial complex, the building of a blockchain-specialized cluster, the promotion of a semiconductor innovation belt in the southern region, and the operation of a Busan-style integrated data platform.
The business environment category was also recognized for achievements including a record 19.4 trillion won in attracted investment, the expansion of opportunity development special zones, regulatory improvements for industrial complexes, and the designation of a distributed energy special zone.
Efforts in talent development and financial infrastructure also contributed to enhanced competitiveness. Representative examples include the operation of the Busan Digital Innovation Academy, the training of semiconductor specialists, the promotion of the Busan-style RISE project, the completion of phase 3 of the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC), the expansion of industrial innovation policy funds, and the attraction of a fractional investment trading exchange.
In particular, Busan ranked first in the world in "innovation capability," one of the core evaluation items that make up the Smart Centres Index. Innovation capability is an indicator that evaluates the quality and performance of innovation activities actually carried out within a city. It means that the digital transformation and future industry development policies the city has pursued have been internationally recognized for producing tangible results.
Officials say this evaluation is an indicator that objectively demonstrates the achievements of the digital innovation strategy and future industry development policies that the 8th popularly elected Busan Metropolitan Government has emphasized. Going forward, Busan plans to integrate advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and robotics with the region's key industries, and to foster power semiconductors, secondary batteries, and new materials industries as future growth engines, accelerating its transformation into a global advanced smart city.
"This evaluation is a meaningful result that shows the innovation policies Busan has pursued are translating into actual achievements," a Busan Metropolitan Government official said. "We will continue to pursue digital innovation and future industry development to leap forward as a world-class innovation city."
