Dubai has climbed four spots to become the world’s 5th best city brand out of 100 cities, behind London, New York, Paris, and Tokyo, according to the latest Brand Finance Global City Index.
More importantly, the emirate has ranked as the world’s most reputable city, the report said. It also ranked the top city in the Middle East and Africa.
“We value every effort that has helped secure Dubai’s position as the top city in the Middle East and North Africa for the second consecutive year. We also celebrate its rise into the ranks of the top five cities globally in a prominent international report that compares 100 leading city brands worldwide. This report captures people’s perceptions of quality of life and their views on opportunities for work, investment, education, and retirement. Dubai ranks first globally as the most desired investment destination and leads in future growth expectations. It is a city that shapes the future that people around the world aspire to,” said His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai.
Key indicators
The results are based on a survey of over 15,000 respondents across 20 countries, offering a detailed look at how the world’s leading city brands are viewed. Respondents were asked to rate 100 cities on key performance indicators: familiarity, reputation, and consideration, indicating how strongly these cities are perceived as places people would want to live, work, study, visit, retire, and invest in. In addition, respondents chose from 45 attributes grouped under seven pillars, including culture and heritage, or business and investment, that they associated with city brands.
Read: Dubai property sales hit record high of 20,460 deals in October
Dubai’s impressive run
Dubai’s top rank for reputation is matched by its top rank in the business and investment pillar. The city has also achieved impressive gains in terms of consideration for working locally (up from 16th to 8th) and consideration for working remotely (up from 24th to 4th).
The emirate is a hotspot for innovation and startups, with initiatives like the Dubai Future Foundation contributing to its 1st place ranking for ‘future growth potential’. Additionally, Dubai’s 2nd place ranking for its ‘strong and stable economy’ and 3rd place ranking for ‘attractive personal taxation’ further solidifies the city’s status as a prime location for investment, making it the top city globally for investment consideration.
“Dubai’s rise to become the world’s fifth-best city brand is primarily driven by its achievement of ranking first globally for reputation. This enhanced perception underscores the effectiveness of the UAE government’s strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and the business ecosystem. The substantial improvements in Dubai’s consideration metrics further highlight the city’s increasing allure as a premier destination for visitors, residents, businesses, and global investors,” said Andrew Campbell, Managing Director, Brand Finance Middle East.
Read: Dubai’s aviation sector to create 185,000 jobs by 2030
Abu Dhabi shows improvement
Abu Dhabi holds its 2023 global ranking at 30th, although it has improved by eight spots in ‘consideration’, now ranking 24th. Notably, the city sits in 2nd rank for consideration to invest, up 12 ranks from 2023, and 9th globally for consideration to work remotely, up 15 ranks from 2023.
Abu Dhabi also ranks an impressive 5th in the business and investment pillar, including 4th for being ‘great for start-ups and innovations’, and 2nd for ‘future growth potential’. It has also gone up 16 ranks to 20th globally for being perceived as a ‘leader in science and technology’, further underscoring the city’s growing appeal as an innovation hub.
Behind Abu Dhabi, Doha (69th) ranks 19th for ‘attractive corporate taxation’ and 20th for ‘attractive personal taxation’.
Riyadh continues its progress climbing four places to 75th globally with notable improvements in consideration to work, live and invest (all up seven places or more). In particular, it has climbed 37 places for ‘famous sports teams and clubs’, 24 places for ‘great private schools’ and 20 places for ‘great shopping, restaurants, and nightlife’.
Global results
London retains its position as the world’s top city brand. The city excels in Familiarity (3rd) and Reputation (3rd), exemplifying its strong global profile and appeal. However, London faces challenges in Consideration (19th), particularly in areas like living, investing, and retiring, with affordability (97th) emerging as a major concern. New York and Paris hold the 2nd and 3rd ranks, respectively. Paris leads in culture and heritage, while New York holds the top spot for education and science. Tokyo has risen to 4th rank and is perceived as the world’s ‘leader in science and technology’.
David Haigh, chairman and CEO of Brand Finance, commented: “The 2024 study reveals that familiarity can be a double-edged sword. For example, while London remains the world’s best city brand overall, its perceptions across certain metrics have weakened this year. It is no longer considered the world’s top city to visit – overtaken by Rome, or to study in – where Boston is now top of class. These findings provide valuable insights into the changing perceptions and priorities of residents and visitors, which can help guide decision makers in cities across the world in implementing effective strategies to drive growth.”
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