When we say ‘smartest city’, you might picture a place known for its established universities or one home to innovative industries. However, this study looks at things a little differently.
The IMD Smart City Index assesses what it describes as the ‘perceptions of residents on issues related to structures and technology available to them in their city’, with ‘structures’ referring to infrastructure and technology meaning a city’s tech and services. The cities are then assessed on health and safety, mobility, activities, opportunities and governance.
142 cities have been analysed in 2024’s ranking. So where is the smartest city in the world? For the fourth time running, it’s Zurich. The Swiss city scores particularly well for public transport, basic sanitation, education and public safety, but sits comfortably above average for every single factor.
Oslo came in second place, also for the fourth time, scoring particularly well for minimal traffic congestion and green spaces. The Australian capital of Canberra came in third, thanks to low air pollution and the fact it’s perceived as a welcoming environment for minorities.
There the 10 smartest cities in the world
- Zurich
- Oslo
- Canberra
- Geneva
- Singapore
- Copenhagen
- Lausanne
- London
- Helsinki
- Abu Dhabi
You can read more about the index and the winning cities on the IMD website here.
Did you see that another European village is imposing an entry fee on tourists?
Plus: Here’s everything you need to know about travelling to Naples right now.
Stay in the loop: sign up to our free Time Out Travel newsletter for all the latest travel news.