Hong Kong ranks 8th in Safe Cities Index 2021

It ranked third in health security and first in infrastructure security.

Hong Kong ranked eighth in the Safe Cities Index 2021 among 60 cities worldwide based on five measures on the nature of urban safety, up from the 20th spot in 2019, according to The Economist Intelligence Unit.

The list is topped by Copenhagen (82.4), Toronto (82.2), Singapore (80.7), Sydney (80.1), Tokyo (80.0), Amsterdam (79.3), and Wellington (79.0). Hong Kong is tied with Melbourne at the 8th spot scoring 78.6, whilst Stockholm completes the top 10, with 78 points, all scoring “very high” overall.

The measures were based on five pillars namely: digital security, health security, infrastructure security, personal security, and environmental security.

Naka Kondo, senior editor of The Economist Intelligence Unit and editor of the Safe Cities Index 2021 noted that experts have said the COVID-19 changed the concept of urban safety.

“Digital security is now an even higher priority as more work and commerce have moved online; those responsible for infrastructure safety have to adjust to dramatic changes in travel patterns and where residents consume utilities; agencies responsible for personal security need to address a large, lockdown-driven shift in crime patterns; and the priority that urban residents and officials assign to environmental security has risen markedly as COVID-19 serves as a stark warning of unexpected crises," Kondo said.  

The Index showed that different global regions have “distinct strengths," noting that well-off Asia Pacific cities tend to be better on average on health security and infrastructure security, whilst European cities perform better on personal security and North American cities top digital security.

Hong Kong ranked third in health security, following Tokyo and Singapore, which factored in universal healthcare coverage, beds and doctors, emergency services, life expectancy, mental health burden, COVID-19, infant, and cancer mortality, amongst others.

Hong Kong topped the infrastructure security category which considers aspects such as the enforcement of transport safety, pedestrian friendliness, disaster management/business continuity plan, water infrastructure, and hazard monitoring, amongst others.