Future Workforce Diversity and Competitiveness drives Global Talent Competitiveness, as revealed in the 2018 Index.

The 2018 Global Cities Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) has revealed some intriguing findings about the world's most talent-competitive cities. The report, themed "Diversity for Competitiveness", investigates how various cities across the globe are fostering a diverse and inclusive environment to attract and retain top talent.

In the 2018 GTCI, European cities dominated the top spots, with 15 cities ranking within the top 25. Singapore, the city-state in Southeast Asia, secured the second position, while the United States ranked third with three cities—San Francisco (7th), Boston (8th), and Toronto (6th)—placing high among non-European cities. Melbourne (4th) and Sydney (5th) in Australia also made significant appearances.

Switzerland, a global talent hub, took the top spot in the GTCI, with Zurich leading the way, having moved up from the second position in the previous year. Other top-ranking countries included leading global talent hubs like Singapore, Luxembourg, Iceland, Hong Kong SAR, the United Arab Emirates, and various European countries.

The success of these high-ranking cities can be attributed to several factors. They share similarities such as higher GDP levels leading to better technology penetration, quality education, business, healthcare, and infrastructure. A virtuous cycle of higher talent competitiveness is also present, with higher-ranked universities attracting a superior calibre of teaching and research staff, and the impact of dense and efficient information networks.

Moreover, these cities have employment policies that combine flexibility and social protection, ensuring a balanced work-life environment for their residents. The top cities and countries also have a well-developed educational system, which plays a crucial role in nurturing and attracting talent.

The 2018 GTCI report also emphasises the importance of three types of diversity: cognitive, identity, and preference (or value). Cognitive diversity refers to the variety of skills, knowledge, and perspectives within a group, while identity diversity encompasses differences in race, ethnicity, gender, and age. Preference diversity, on the other hand, focuses on the acceptance and celebration of different beliefs, values, and ideas.

Smart cities like Singapore, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha also performed well in attracting and retaining talent in the 2018 Global Cities Talent Competitiveness Index. These cities leverage technological advancements to create an attractive and dynamic living and working environment for their residents and visitors.

While the 2018 GTCI report does not provide specific scores for cities, only their rankings, it offers valuable insights into the factors that contribute to a city's talent competitiveness. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and competitive, understanding these factors can help cities and countries position themselves for success in the global talent market.

Future Workforce Diversity and Competitiveness drives Global Talent Competitiveness, as revealed in the 2018 Index.