Vancouver slips further down list of ‘smartest’ cities in the world
Vancouver has once again been named among the smartest cities in the world, but 2026 saw it continue a downward trend in that particular ranking.
The 2026 Smart City Index from IMD, the International Institute for Management Development, ranks cities based on factors including technology, infrastructure, quality of life, and more.
Only four Canadian cities, including Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, cracked the global index that looked at 148 cities from around the world.
Vancouver was ranked 58th, which is a steep drop from where it was five years ago.
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So, what exactly makes a city “smart”?
The index, produced by IMD’s World Competitiveness Center, looks at technology, infrastructure, economic strength, quality of life, and inclusiveness, based largely on what residents think about their city. It evaluates 148 cities across areas including health and safety, mobility, opportunities, and governance.
Each city is given an overall grade from AAA to D based on how well it performs. AAA is the highest rating, followed by AA, A, BBB, BB, B, and so on.
Vancouver ranked 28th overall back in 2021, but dropped to 42nd in 2023.
It saw a further dip down the list to 43rd in 2024 and 53rd in 2025. The city did score a BBB overall grade in 2026.
Much like Toronto, affordable housing was the biggest concern among Vancouver residents, with 85.4 per cent choosing it as one of their top five priorities. Health services followed at 66.7 per cent, while road congestion was selected by 58.5 per cent.
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Vancouver’s results also show a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to basic services. While 78.6 per cent of residents said recycling services are satisfactory, just 56.3 per cent said basic sanitation meets the needs of the city’s poorest areas.
Digital services in the city also appear to be making everyday life easier. 68.4 per cent said buying tickets online for shows and museums has made attending easier, while 65.3 per cent said online job listings have made finding work easier.
Online medical appointments also scored well, with 62.3 per cent saying they’ve improved access to care.
Toronto landed in 48th place in the 2026 Smart City Index, making a pretty significant jump from last year, when it ranked 63rd. Ottawa placed 61st, and Montreal ranked 86th.
To read the full index, visit IMD’s website.
With files from Natalia Buia