Recently, the Wuhan University Digital Economy Development and Governance Forum released the "China Urban Low altitude Economy High quality Development Index (2026)".
The index evaluates 297 prefecture level and above cities, covering 4 municipalities directly under the central government, 28 provincial capitals, 15 sub provincial cities, and 250 other prefecture level cities. The calculation results show that Shenzhen has the most outstanding comprehensive strength, ranking first in the country in indicators such as industrial empowerment, industrial innovation, and policy support, and overall ranking first in the country, becoming the most representative low altitude economic city in China at present. Beijing and Shanghai rank second and third respectively, and the level of low altitude economic development is among the top in the country.
Based on the distribution characteristics of comprehensive rankings and differences in urban development stages, the index divides the level of urban low altitude economic development into four tiers, with the 15th, 50th, and 100th national comprehensive rankings as the boundaries.
The calculation results show that the first tier low altitude economic center cities (1-15) include Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Chengdu, Hangzhou, Suzhou, Xi'an, Changsha, Chongqing, Hefei, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Zhuhai, and Tianjin. These cities have obvious overall advantages in terms of industrial foundation, technological innovation capability, cultivation of application scenarios, and policy environment, forming the core areas for high-quality development of China's low altitude economy.
Second tier (16-50): Shenyang, Wuxi, Qingdao, Shijiazhuang, etc., with good industrial and innovation foundations, undertaking regional undertaking and diffusion functions.
The third tier (51-100): Yantai, Zhuzhou, Huzhou, etc., are in the initial stage and need to make up for their basic shortcomings.
The fourth tier (after 100): relatively weak foundation, relying on policy support and factor investment, needs to focus on key areas and characteristic scenarios, and gradually cultivate low altitude economic development capabilities.
In terms of regional distribution, the eastern coastal areas are highly clustered, with urban clusters such as the Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area, and Beijing Tianjin Hebei becoming the core carriers. The Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration has the most prominent advantages, the leading effect of the Greater Bay Area is significant, and the Beijing Tianjin Hebei region focuses on high-end innovation sources. At the industrial level, top cities have formed a full industry chain advantage, with high concentration of enterprises in cities such as Shenzhen and Beijing; In terms of technological resources, Beijing, Nanjing, Xi'an and other cities have dense scientific research resources; In terms of market expansion, consumer heat is concentrated in first tier and mega cities; The policy support presents the characteristics of "head aggregation and gradient diffusion", and policy tools such as Shenzhen and Zhuhai are fully configured; On the basis of basic conditions, hardware facilities such as Beijing and Shenzhen have advantages in combination with natural conditions.
