Digitalization Ranking: Nürnberg and Frankfurt Lead, Duisburg Lags Behind

A recent study conducted by GISMA University of Applied Sciences has revealed significant disparities in the digitalization of municipal services across Germany. The study evaluated the availability of online administrative services in the 20 largest cities, focusing on 11 commonly accessed services such as residence registration, driver's license applications, and business registrations.

According to the findings, both Frankfurt am Main and Nürnberg excelled, achieving the highest scores of 18 out of a possible 22 points. This positions them at the forefront of digital municipal administration in Germany, allowing citizens and businesses to access a wide range of services online.

The ranking highlights the accessibility of digital services in these cities, which offer a robust online platform for administrative processes. Following closely behind are Stuttgart, Berlin, Bonn, Essen, Hannover, and Bochum, which also scored well in terms of their digital offerings. Meanwhile, Munich and Hamburg occupy a more moderate position in the rankings.

At the opposite end, Duisburg and Bremen fell short, with Duisburg scoring only 6 points, placing it at the bottom of the list. The study indicated that Duisburg's limited digital services significantly affect residents' ability to engage with their local government online.

Compared to last year, Frankfurt showed remarkable improvement, gaining eight points, making it the city with the most significant advancement in digital service availability. However, not all cities fared well; Wuppertal saw a decline of two points, and Munich lost one point in the rankings.

Professor Peter Konhäusner from GISMA noted that while there is progress in the digital transformation of public services in Germany, the pace and extent of this development vary widely by location. Some cities are even experiencing setbacks in their digital initiatives.

In a similar study conducted in 2023 by c't, Nürnberg also retained its top position, although it employed a different methodology that did not award points for services available through email applications. This highlights the ongoing challenges and variations in digital service implementation across different municipalities.

The GISMA study underscores the importance of digital accessibility in public services, emphasizing that while some cities are thriving in their digital transformation efforts, others must significantly enhance their service offerings to meet the needs of their residents.