As the global economy recovers, innovation-oriented industries and talent will be key to the next cycle of urban renewal.

Our latest global research analyses over 100 cities globally to identify the most advanced innovation ecosystems and talent hubs, providing a global comparison of the most attractive cities for people, business and capital.

Our research shows that cities which outperform on these measures are best positioned to record the strongest economic recoveries in the coming years and it also demonstrates a powerful link between innovation and talent ecosystems and real estate performance.

What are the key findings?
 
Innovation spreads across the globe
While U.S. cities dominate the top rankings in 2022, the other two regions are catching up fast with the Asia Pacific powerhouses of Seoul and Beijing joining the elite group of ‘Global leaders’ this year.

The rise of smaller, talent-rich cities
As people look for more affordable cities that offer a better quality of life, markets that combine these factors with a strong innovation ecosystem – like Denver, Stockholm and Melbourne – are drawing in new companies and capital.

Global gateways maintain lead
Despite concerns raised during the early stages of the pandemic, the ‘Global leaders’ – such as San Francisco, Tokyo and London – remain integral to the global innovation ecosystem and will continue to draw talent, businesses and capital. 

Find out which cities feature in the top 25 for Innovation and Talent