Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is a rapidly growing city known for its financial strength, innovative developments, and cultural prominence.
But how is Abu Dhabi performing in terms of city reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Abu Dhabi’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Abu Dhabi’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 | – | – | – | – | 28 | 30 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 14 | 15 | 28 | 25 | 25 | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 39 | 38 | 31 | 35 | 37 | 38 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 75 | – | 95 | – | 75 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 69 | 76 | 77 | 76 | 66 | 59 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 78 | – | – | – | 84 | 85 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 58 | 64 | 44 | 25 | 28 | 30 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 186 | 312 | 309 | 266 | 164 | 139 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 70 | 52 | 84 | 24 | 54 | 26 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 127 | 117 | – | 114 | – | 116 | 95 |
City Brand Strength
Abu Dhabi is an emerging global city, recognized for its rapid development, economic diversification, and growing cultural influence. Ranked 30th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024 and 59th in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024, the city reflects rising international visibility, underpinned by strong investment in innovation, infrastructure, and sustainability.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Abu Dhabi is a fast-growing global city, combining economic diversification with rising capacity in innovation and finance. Ranked 75th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index , the city is strengthening its role in research, technology, and sustainable development through major investments in education and future industries. Its 38th position in the GFCI 37 Rank highlights Abu Dhabi’s expanding influence as a financial hub in the Middle East, complementing its strengths in infrastructure, energy transition, and global connectivity.
Appeal to Talent
Abu Dhabi is an emerging global city that combines modern infrastructure, cultural development, and a growing reputation for livability. Ranked 85th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 and 26th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, the city reflects a mix of strong services and lifestyle offerings, with progress still underway in certain areas of social infrastructure. On the cost side, Abu Dhabi ranks 30th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 139th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025,, illustrating a cost profile that is moderate by global standards, with affordability advantages that strengthen its attractiveness for international talent and investment.
Urban Sustainability
Abu Dhabi is a rapidly developing global city, advancing its role as a modern capital with a focus on diversification, infrastructure, and cultural growth. Ranked 95th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, the city reflects ongoing progress in governance, mobility, and social development, supported by ambitious investments in urban planning and innovation.
Our Key Takeaways
Abu Dhabi is an ambitious global capital, combining cultural investment, economic diversification, and strategic global connectivity. With major advances in sustainability, tourism, and finance, the city is reshaping its identity as more than an oil-based economy while retaining deep cultural heritage and regional influence.
- Strengths: Global leadership in energy diversification and large-scale investment projects.
- Weaknesses: Heavy reliance on expatriate workforce and limited global cultural recognition compared to peers.
- Opportunities: Expanding role in renewable energy and green finance, cultural tourism, and innovation-driven industries.
- Threats: Exposure to oil market volatility and environmental pressures such as extreme heat and water scarcity.
Last updated in September 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Abu Dhabi’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.
