These are the 10 smartest cities in the world

These are the 10 smartest cities in the world – 7 are in Europe

The list of the “smartest” cities in the world for 2024 has been published.

Smart cities in Europe and Asia are gaining ground globally, while North American cities have fallen in the rankings, according to the 2024 Smart City Index published in April.

This year’s index was created by the Smart Cities Observatory of the Global Competitiveness Center (IMD) in collaboration with the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO) based in Seoul, South Korea.

The report ranks 142 smart cities worldwide based on data analyzed by the researchers, as well as responses from a survey of 120 residents in each city. The study captures an overview of how the infrastructure and available technology in a city affects its performance and the quality of life of its residents.

How is a “smart” city defined?

According to the IMD, a smart city is defined as “an urban environment that applies technology to enhance the benefits and reduce the disadvantages of urbanization for its citizens.”

In its report this year, the IMD states: “With very few exceptions, the cities that exist in the first 20 are geographically located in areas where the social and economic environment is relatively predictable, even against the general climate of global uncertainty.”

“Cities that are performing well have also developed initiatives that contribute to a better quality of life for their citizens. Such initiatives have focused on developing green spaces and exploring opportunities for cultural events. In the majority of these leading cities, efforts have been combined with innovative strategies to attract and retain talent, promote investment, and address long-standing issues of geographic disparities,” the report states, among other things.