Copenhagen, Denmark, is globally recognised for its commitment to sustainability, high quality of life, and robust educational institutions. The city seamlessly blends historical charm with modern innovation, positioning itself as a leader in urban development and environmental stewardship.
But what do international rankings and indices have to say about Copenhagen in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Copenhagen’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Copenhagen’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a deeper analysis, our custom reports provide tailored insights for specific contexts, such as cities, regions, or countries.
| Ranking | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 31 | 28 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 65 | 46 | 46 | 41 | 45 | 45 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 36 | 34 | 30 | 9 | 6 | 47 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 47 | – | 54 | – | 30 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 45 | 49 | 43 | 42 | 41 | 46 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 8 | – | – | – | 4 | 4 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 20 | 25 | 16 | 11 | 9 | 11 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 21 | 16 | 29 | 33 | 30 | 28 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 16 | 20 | 24 | 11 | 8 | 10 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 8 | 6 | – | 10 | – | 11 | 7 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 4 | – | 3 | – |
City Brand Strength
Copenhagen’s international reputation is bolstered by its cultural heritage, architectural beauty, and progressive policies. In Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, it ranks 28th, up three places from the previous year. In Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, it ranks 45th. In Kearney’s Global Cities 2024 Report, it ranks 46th. The city’s emphasis on design, cycling infrastructure, and green spaces contributes to its strong global image.
Appeal to Investors and Business
While it places 47th in the GFCI 37 Rank, the city remains a trusted environment for business. Copenhagen also climbed to 30th in the 2Thinknow Innovation Cities™ Index, demonstrating strength in tech, creative industries, and entrepreneurship.
Appeal to Talent
Copenhagen is ranked 4th globally in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 and 10th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, proving its status as leader in quality of life. Though it also ranks 11th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 28th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, the city offers excellent value for those drawn by its clean urban design and work-life balance.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, it ranks 7th, showcasing its strength in innovation and urban governance.
Urban Sustainability
Copenhagen ranks 3rd in the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, with impressive scores in People (#11), Profit (#15), and Planet (#2).
Our Key Takeaways
Copenhagen remains a benchmark for sustainable urban development, bolstered by top rankings in governance, quality of life, and innovation. While it faces challenges in financial competitiveness, the city excels in areas that matter most to residents and global talent—making it a leader in livability and climate resilience.
- Strengths: Global leader in sustainability and urban planning, strong education system.
- Weaknesses: High cost of living, underperformance in global finance rankings.
- Opportunities: Advance digital finance and smart mobility infrastructure.
- Threats: Talent drain to more affordable cities.
Last updated in April 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Copenhageni’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, the data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Please verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
