The Global Power City Index 2017 ranked London, New York and Tokyo as the world’s most attractive cities. The index evaluates 44 major cities on their ability to attract people, businesses and organizations, using 70 indicators grouped into six categories: economy, research and development, cultural interaction, livability, environment and accessibility.
The top three cities remained unchanged from the previous year: London at No. 1, New York at No. 2 and Tokyo at No. 3. Tokyo improved slightly in the cultural interaction category but did not surpass New York overall.
Regional strengths were apparent across the rankings. European cities tended to score highly for livability and environmental quality, while U.S. cities led in research and development. Asian cities showed growing economic strength, with seven of them occupying the Top 10 in the economy category. The 2017 index included two newcomers: Dubai, which placed 23rd, and Buenos Aires, ranked 40th. Sydney returned to the Top 10 for the first time in seven years.
Hiroo Ichikawa, executive director of The Mori Memorial Foundation, which publishes the index, noted that urban power has shifted over the past decade in response to broader global changes. He emphasized that a city’s overall strength cannot be measured by a single factor such as economic output; instead, a comprehensive view that accounts for multiple dimensions is required. Rapid urbanization and globalization create both challenges and opportunities, so cities must assess their individual strengths and weaknesses and understand how they compare with others. Ichikawa said the GPCI report aims to support policymakers and global organizations with better planning and decision-making in a competitive global environment.