What makes a city among the smartest in the world? There are several factors that play into cities being ranked among the smartest globally, including efforts to enhance citizens’ quality of life, such as developing public transportation networks or eco-compatible mobilities. Other factors include governments’ efforts to develop green spaces and broaden opportunities for cultural events and social bonding.
In the majority of leading smart cities, such efforts come hand in hand with innovative strategies to attract and retain talent, foster investment selectively, and tackle longstanding issues regarding geographical inequalities and inclusion.
“With very few exceptions, cities in the top 20 are geographically located in areas where social and economic environments are relatively predictable, even against the overall climate of global uncertainties,” stated the latest IMD Smart City Index 2024 report.
It is clear that whatever the level of surrounding uncertainties, the future of cities will be increasingly digital. The rapid spread of artificial intelligence across municipal services has raised both new hopes and new concerns. Trust and governance will be key ingredients in making cities both future-ready and human-centric.
“In other words, to make tomorrow’s cities green, digital and human-centric, we will need to give more attention to talent strategies, education, and openness (for instance, for trade, investment, and exchanges of experiences),” the report added.
Top 20 smartest cities in the world
The latest IMD Smart City Index 2024 report reveals the top 20 smartest cities in the world, including:
1. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich has held the title of the smartest city in the world since 2020 with an AAA rating.
2. Oslo, Norway
Oslo has held the title of the second smartest city in the world since 2020 with an AA rating.
3. Canberra, Austraila
Canberra holds the 3rd place since 2023 with an AA rating.
4. Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva rose from 8th place to 4th place in 2024 after slipping to 9th place in 2023, making it among the smartest cities in the world this year with an AAA rating.
5. Singapore
Singapore has made significant progress on becoming one of the smartest cities in the world. It held 7th place since 2020 before rising to 5th this year. The city has an A rating.
6. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen holds an AA rating. The city ranked 3rd in 2020 and fell to 5th place in 2021 before rising to 4th in 2023 then 6th in 2024.
7. Lausanne, Switzerland
Lausanne is Switzerland’s 3rd city making the top 20 smartest cities in the world this year. The city has a AA rating and fell 2 places on the index since last year.
8. London, United Kingdom
In 2021, London rose to 3rd place on the index before falling to 8th this year. The city has an A rating.
9. Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki was among the top five smartest cities in the world in 2020. Since then, the city’s rank fell to 9th place. The city has an AA rating.
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10. Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi is the only Arab city in the top 10 smartest cities in the world. The UAE’s capital has made significant progress, rising from 14th place in 2020 to 10th this year. The city has a BB rating.
11. Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm ranked 11th this year on the IMD Smart City Index. In 2020, the city held 9th place. The city has an A rating.
12. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai is the second Arab city to make it to the top 20 smartest cities in the world, making remarable progress from 19th globally in 2020 to 12th this year with a BB rating.
13. Beijing, China
The capital of China is among the fastest rising cities on the index, rising from 22nd place in 2020 to 13th place this year with a BB rating.
14. Hamburg, Germany
Germany’s Hamburg ranked 6th in 2020 before steadily declining to 14th place in 2024. The city has a BBB rating.
15. Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is Czech Republic’s only city in the top 20 smartest cities in the world. The city’s ranking fell from 4th in 2020 to 15th this year with an A rating.
16. Taipei City, Taiwan
The capital of Taiwan came in 16th place this year, marking a significant increase from 29th place in 2023 with an A rating.
17. Seoul, South Korea
Seoul is also among the emerging Asian cities on the IMD Smart City Index. The capital ranked 20th in 2020 before rising to 16th place last year and 17th this year. The city has a AA rating.
18. Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam’s rank has declined over time from 11th place in 2020 to 18th this year. The city holds an A rating on the index.
19. Shanghai, China
Shanghai is the second city in China to make it to the top 20 smartest cities in the world. The city’s rank has exponentially risen over the past few years from 42nd in 2020 to 19th this year. It holds a BB rating on the index.
20. Hong Kong, SAR of China
The last city in the top 20 this year is Hong Kong. The city has shown significant progress in the last few years, rising from 34th place to 19th place last year, before declining one rank in 2024. The city holds an A rating on the index.
