Comparitech Report Highlights Rise in Global Surveillance, Spotlights U.S. Cities
A newly updated analysis by Comparitech sheds light on the rapid global expansion of public video surveillance, with several major U.S. cities ranking among the most surveilled worldwide. While Chinese cities continue to dominate the global rankings, North America — particularly the United States — is seeing growing integration of public and private surveillance networks.
Titled “Surveillance Camera Statistics: Which Are the Most Surveilled Cities?,” the report identifies global trends in CCTV deployment and estimates there are now more than 700 million public cameras worldwide, including China’s state-run Skynet system. Comparitech estimates the global average at 5.82 cameras per 1,000 people, a figure that rises significantly in the most densely surveilled regions.
Despite Chinese cities occupying the top 10 spots in terms of cameras per capita, the United States is home to two cities that stand out on a global scale: Los Angeles and New York City.
Los Angeles surveillance network expands
Los Angeles ranks just outside the global top 10, placing 15th, with an estimated 46,766 cameras, equating to 12.4 cameras per 1,000 residents. The report notes that law enforcement in the area is expanding its use of artificial intelligence and community participation in surveillance networks.
Los Angeles ranks just outside the global top 10, placing 15th, with an estimated 46,766 surveillance cameras—amounting to approximately 12.4 cameras per 1,000 residents. The city has recently expanded its monitoring capabilities with the installation of 115 artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled cameras and the launch of a camera registry program by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office. That program has cataloged more than 1,700 privately owned cameras, with over 2,900 connected for real-time access by law enforcement.
According to Comparitech, the sheriff’s office has registered over 1,700 cameras, with more than 2,900 connected for live access.
New York City ranks 16th globally, with approximately 80,303 cameras across the city, resulting in a slightly lower density of 10.12 cameras per 1,000 people.
Outside of the U.S., the cities with the highest camera densities include Hyderabad, Lahore, Moscow, and Seoul—many of which are also experiencing increased use of artificial intelligence and integrated public-private monitoring networks.
While the number of surveillance cameras continues to grow across global urban centers, Comparitech emphasizes that there remains no clear correlation between high camera density and lower crime rates. This finding reinforces ongoing debates around the effectiveness of widespread video surveillance as a deterrent, as well as growing privacy concerns over government access to private camera networks.
The report also highlights a broader industry trend: the increasing fusion of public surveillance infrastructure with privately owned cameras. This includes registry programs that allow law enforcement to view footage from cameras owned by businesses and residents, sometimes in real time. In several U.S. cities, police departments are using geo-tagging, dash cams, and AI-based technologies to build more responsive and expansive surveillance capabilities.
To read the full Comparitech report and explore the global rankings, go here.
