The World's Top 50 Science and Tech Clusters

What We're Showing

This infographic maps the world’s top 50 science and technology (S&T) clusters in 2024, ranked by their combined share of international patent applications and scientific publications. Clusters can be entire regions or cities, defined by their geographical connectivity. 

The data, sourced from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), reflects the global hubs for innovation in research and development activities.

Key Takeaways

• Asia dominates the global innovation landscape, claiming 24 of the top 50 clusters for science and technology.
• The Tokyo—Yokohama cluster leads the rankings. Mitsubishi Electric is the top patent applicant in the cluster, while the University of Tokyo is the top scientific publisher.
• China alone accounts for 15 clusters in the top 50, underscoring the country's investment in R&D, science, and intellectual property.
• The U.S. features 11 clusters, with tech hubs like San Jose–San Francisco, Boston–Cambridge, San Diego, and New York leading its rankings.
• Europe's top entries include Paris, London, and Munich, with Germany securing five places in total.