It may have been a tough test at times, but Waterloo passed 2021 with flying colours.
This past year, we came together to fuel innovation, growth and success in our community. Waterloo’s ecosystem made strides in all sectors, while our global recognition continued to accelerate despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before gearing up for another year, it’s time to step up to the podium and accept the accolades we earned over 2021. It’s an impressive list of accomplishments for one community and highlights the exceptional nature of our ecosystem. These rankings and reports, sourced from major organizations and publications, validate what we’ve known all along: Waterloo is a great place to locate, relocate or expand your business.
Here are eight reports and rankings that showcase Waterloo’s golden performance in 2021:
1. CBRE ranks Waterloo the #1 small tech talent market in North America
Waterloo is the #1 small tech talent market in North America, according to the fiercely competitive report released annually by CBRE. Our excellent experienced workforce, unmatched talent pipeline and substantial office rent advantages set us apart on the international stage.
2. Maclean’s taps UWaterloo as Canada’s Most Innovative University once again
This year, the University of Waterloo reclaimed the title of Canada’s Most Innovative University and defended its title as Canada’s top technology school. UWaterloo was also ranked number one in computer science and engineering by Maclean’s Magazine.
3. UWaterloo is ranked top-40 globally for engineering and technology
The University of Waterloo was ranked 38th globally in Engineering and Technology by QS University Rankings. At the subject level, the university came in at an impressive 23rd for computer science, 35th for mathematics and 48th for electrical and electronic engineering. The University of Waterloo also broke into the top-150 in the QS World University Overall Rankings for the first time, marking an improvement of 17 spots from last year.
4. Startup Genome says the Toronto-Waterloo Corridor is the top tech ecosystem in Canada and in the top global-15
The Toronto-Waterloo tech ecosystem ranked #1 in Canada and #14 in the world. The Startup Genome report is the most comprehensive and widely read research on startups in the world and features 280 innovation ecosystems and 3 million companies.
5. Canada is ranked the world’s #1 destination for global talent
According to one of the most prestigious management consulting firms, Boston Consulting Group, Canada is the top destination for global talent. Canada was listed as the top choice for workers from a wide range of backgrounds, in large part due to our diverse communities, superclusters in tech, manufacturing and artificial intelligence, quality of life and streamlined hiring processes for foreign talent.
6. Canada is named the #1 country in the world
For the first time, the US News & World Report named Canada the #1 country in the world. Although it’s a bold claim, it’s evident that the quality of life, business environment, cultural influence and social purpose here set Canada apart on the global stage.
7. Waterloo is the second fastest growing community in Canada
Waterloo was highlighted as the second fastest growing community in Canada by Statistics Canada. The annual report on population growth is an indication of our booming economy, excellent quality of living and exceptional academic ecosystem that includes world-renowned post-secondary institutions.
8. fDi Intelligence ranks Waterloo 5th in Americas Cities of the Future report
This past year, Waterloo was named a city of the future, in more ways than one. fDi Intelligence’s biennial report ranks cities across the Americas in several different categories. Waterloo was 1st in the Human Capital and Lifestyle category, 4th in the Business Friendliness division and 5th overall out of all small cities.