With the rise of AI, self-driving cars and wi-fi connected appliances, it can feel like innovation is everywhere these days. But certain countries are known for developing cutting-edge technologies that benefit residents and visitors alike.
To dive into those countries making the most impact in these areas, the World Intellectual Property Organisation recently released its 2024 Global Innovation Index, ranking 130 economies based on measures like their education system, technology infrastructure and knowledge creation (like patents filed or mobile apps created).
Global Innovation Index Ranking 2024
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- United States
- Singapore
- United Kingdom
- Republic of Korea
- Finland
- The Netherlands
- Germany
- Denmark
To find out how innovation benefits day-to-day life in some of the top ranked countries, we spoke to residents and frequent travellers, who shared their tips on how to best experience the heart of the tech ecosystem and the ways that technology has improved their quality of life.
Despite its small size, Switzerland is a global leader in innovation - and education is fundamental to its success (Credit: Getty Images)
Switzerland
This small European country has had a remarkable year in the rankings, with high placements in the Smart Cities Index and the Global Liveability Index. So perhaps it's no surprise that the country placed in the top spot for innovation this year. In fact, 2024 marks the 14th consecutive year that Switzerland has maintained its number-one ranking.
Fuelling that score are its world-leading innovation outputs in both knowledge and technology (measured by assets like patents, technology company valuation and high-tech exports), and creative outputs (measured by things like national feature films, mobile app creation and trademarks). It also scores highly in university and industry research and development collaboration and patents.
"Switzerland is very focused on innovation and fosters a culture of support and creativity," said Zurich resident Rosamund Tagel, founder of Glow Concierge. "There is a solutions-focused work ethic that is ingrained in children from a young age, which leads to people working to solve common problems and help the population as a whole." As one example, she points to Swiss company Climeworks that is able to remove excess carbon dioxide from the air.
Carbon capture plant in Iceland (Climeworks)
Link to: Climeworks website
As an entrepreneur herself, she finds Switzerland also has no shortage of business opportunities and resources available. "When I was starting my business, there were several sources of funding available as well as startup accelerators and incubators," she said. The government offers step-by-step advice and resources to those looking to start a business here, with specific advice geared toward foreign nationals.
Frequent travellers also love how innovation makes life easier here. Travel journalist Simone Harvin recently travelled throughout Switzerland and found the ease of public transport tech one of the best in the world. "The SBB [Swiss national railways] app allowed me to connect to the country's various modes of transportation – trains, buses, cable cars – and easily plan my trips from one city to the next," she said. "The hyper-planner in me loved being able to see which trains expected more passengers than others and which train cars offered amenities like quiet zones and restaurants."
She also took advantage of SBB's door-to-door luggage service. "Being able to drop your belongings at check-out in one city and checking in to your new city that evening with a day of bag-free exploring under your belt is the best way to make the most of Switzerland's jaw-dropping train rides," she said.
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