Singapore ranked second in the Global data centre ranking.

For having the fastest fiber connectivity, least vacancy rate and best smart city score, Singapore was ranked first for the global data center market.

FREMONT, CA: Northern Virginia has been termed as the world's most desired data centre location for the third year in a row, according to Cushman & Wakefield's annual report for 2022. After finishing fifth last year, Singapore tied for second place with Silicon Valley. The research rates data centre hubs around the world based on 13 criteria, including market size, connectivity, political stability, and long-term viability. Singapore ranked first in the global data centre market for fastest fibre connectivity, lowest vacancy rate, and best smart city score, but fifth in terms of market size.

Despite a restriction on data centre building, Cushman & Wakefield noted that Singapore is similar to Silicon Valley in that both have strong ecosystems, outstanding connectivity, continuous demand, and all major cloud services available. The other two APAC countries in the top ten were Hong Kong and Sydney, which came in sixth and ninth place, respectively. The Top 10 for the first time this year were ranked on the basis of its strong development pipeline, good network, and availability of all major cloud services.

Madrid, on the other hand, has risen from 34 to 19 in the rankings, owing to its low risk of natural disasters and support for major cloud services. When it comes to fibre connections and smart cities, Singapore likewise came out on top. When it comes to data centre land rates, however, it ranks 53rd with just under $ 2,000 per square foot, compared to less than $ 5 for Columbus in first position.

For the past year, city-states have been prohibited from establishing new data centres. The government expects to lift the ban soon after enacting new rules that enforce severe energy efficiency requirements. Singapore's government intends to only allow new data centres that are best-in-class in terms of resource efficiency, making data centre availability more selective. In the most recent data centre rankings, Singapore and Madrid were named the biggest movers.