Hong Kong leapt into the top 20 of a global list of smart cities, thanks mainly to the increased use of technology in healthcare during the coronavirus pandemic.

It ranked 19th in the Smart City Index 2023 released this month by Swiss business school Institute for Management Development, rising from the 33rd spot the last time the list was drawn up in 2021.

While the shift to digital-based healthcare services was a big plus for the city, the greater use of technology also created a gap among residents, especially the elderly and low-income families finding it hard to afford new devices and access the internet.