The innovation of the world’s leading smart cities is unparalleled. Innovation is a currency that is invaluable in terms of overall societal happiness, fulfillment, and as it turns out, tourism. The new city report for 2024 details the geographical innovation levels of different cities. This report provides an in-depth look at how leading cities are human-centric, digital, and green. These factors typically equate to places with higher quality of life. Check out what ten cities are ranked as the smartest cities in the world.

More on the Smartest Cities in the World

Check out some of the smartest cities in the world and what that means. Pictured: a photo of Dubai at night — Photo credit: Daniel Zacatenco

The International Institute for Management Development (IMD) has conducted a study to rank cities on smartness. In collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), the report ranked 142 cities. The IMD Smart City Index 2024 combines data and local citizen’s views to get results. Around 120 residents in each city provided responses about the overall infrastructure available. These results calculate the cities with the highest quality of life.

The 2024 index, which was released in April, has produced quite different results. Most notably, North American cities have fallen sharply down the ranks. Yet, European and Asian cities have made improvements. In fact, seven out of the ten cities on the list of 2024 were in Europe.

What Do the City Rankings Mean?

A smart city is a place that has enhanced technological understanding and usage. This means that overall, the quality of life is higher there. These places are also areas with predictable social and economic environments. These cities go above and beyond the standard to accommodate serious global issues that plague society. Similarly, by managing urban areas and energy, important resources can be preserved.

The smartest cities have initiatives that give back to the earth and community while “smartly” planning for the future. Sustainability and attempting to eradicate geographical inequality are top concerns for these cities. Due to the varying levels of effort, the smartness of a city can be improved or worsened each year.

The leading cities aim to ease health-related and climate concerns through smart city design. Smart cities develop green space, increase chances for social bonding, and make sustainable choices for technological advancements.

Check out the rankings for the top ten smartest cities in the world. These high-performing cities have quickly moved up as some of the most competitive and significant places in the world for health, safety, mobility, activities, opportunities, and governance.

Zurich, Switzerland
Oslo, Norway
Canberra, Australia
Geneva, Switzerland
Singapore
Copenhagen, Denmark
Lausanne, Switzerland
London, England
Helsinki, Finland
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates