The World’s Best Cities Annual Report by Resonance Consultancy—one of the most globally recognized urban ranking organizations—has once again been released, highlighting cities that best combine quality of life, appeal, and economic dynamism.
In the list answering the question, “In which city would I most like to live, work, and travel?”, Athens is included, ranking 74th worldwide.
How the Rankings Were Determined
Over 270 cities with populations above one million were assessed, using hundreds of indicators: airports, infrastructure, culture, nightlife, corporate presence, economic growth, environment, and even social media trends.
In addition, 21,000 survey responses from people in 30 countries were analyzed, and this year data from Chinese platforms such as Weibo and Xiaohongshu were incorporated to reflect “authentic local perspectives.”
Cities are rated using the Place Power Score, which evaluates three pillars:
- Livability: clean air, walkability, health, standard of living.
- Lovability: popularity on Google Trends and TikTok, museums, entertainment, culture.
- Prosperity: economy, major corporations, unemployment, business ecosystem.
London: The World’s Leading City for the 11th Year
The British capital remains at the top, ranking first worldwide in airports and corporate presence, while also scoring highly in prosperity, attractiveness, and quality of life.
London continues its strong post-pandemic recovery: in 2024, international visitor spending reached $22 billion, surpassing New York and Dubai. The city remains a hub of technology and gastronomy, boasting a record number of Michelin-starred restaurants, and attracting U.S. buyers to both residential and commercial properties.
New York: The Best American City
Ranked second globally, New York overtakes Paris this year. The city excels in economic prosperity and leads the world in theaters, concerts, and museums. Massive infrastructure projects—from airport upgrades to new green spaces—are reshaping the metropolis for the next decade.
The Top Five Cities
- London – United Kingdom
- New York – USA
- Paris – France
- Tokyo – Japan
- Madrid – Spain
Paris has benefited from major investments ahead of the Olympic Games and a booming tourism industry projected to reach $50 billion by 2032.
Tokyo continues to stand out for safety, gastronomy, and urban planning, breaking records in international visitors.
Madrid climbs sharply from 13th place last year, thanks to its sustainable urban revival and creative reuse of public spaces and parks.
The U.S. Snapshot
Aside from New York, only Los Angeles makes it into the Top 20 (12th place).
Other U.S. entries include Miami (26), San Francisco (28), Chicago (35), and Denver, Austin, and Baltimore within the Top 100.
While American cities retain strong momentum, the study notes a decline in global travel interest, a trend linked—according to Ipsos—to reduced trust in American brands.
Asia on the Rise
Asia is rapidly closing the gap with Europe, with several cities soaring in rank thanks to a strong tourism rebound: Tokyo (4), Singapore (6), Sydney (11), Seoul (13), Beijing (15), Shanghai (16), Hong Kong (19), and Istanbul (20).
Athens at No. 74
The Greek capital ranks 74th overall, recognized for its unique blend of history, culture, climate, and revitalized urban life, confirming its growing reputation as a desirable place to live and travel.
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