Basel, located in northwestern Switzerland on the banks of the Rhine River, is celebrated for its rich cultural scene, thriving pharmaceutical industry, and strong quality of life. It is a small city by international standards with a global reach, balancing innovation, cultural richness, and modern infrastructure.
But how does Basel perform in terms of image, reputation, influence, business attractiveness, liveability, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Basel’s economic competitiveness and financial performance
- Its city brand strength and global reputation
- How appealing it is to live, work, and study
Economic Competitiveness
Basel’s innovative capabilities are reflected in its ranking of 65th in 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index, an impressive improvement of 99 places compared to previous years. This shows its growing importance as a centre for research, development, and innovation.
Basel ranks 37th in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index.
In Switzerland, the city ranks 5th in Wüest Partner’s Bilanz City Ranking 2022, underscoring its position as a leading city in terms of business and living conditions. This ranking is based on economic performance, innovation, and quality of life.
City Brand Strength and Reputation
Basel performs well in Monocle’s Small Cities Index 2021. It ranks 6th and is described as a cultural capital with extensive museums and a thriving pharmaceutical industry. This reputation for culture and industry makes it a prominent player among Europe’s smaller cities.
The Resonance report – Europe’s Best Cities 2024 – ranks it 33rd, seeing a considerable drop of 24 places from its 9th rank in 2023.
How Attractive for Talent, Visitors, and Locals?
Basel ranks highly in terms of quality of life, such as 14th in the Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking. However, the city is also considered expensive, ranking 5th in the Mercer Cost of Living Index, only dropping one position.
The Numbeo City Cost of Living Index ranks Basel 2nd, further manifesting the high cost of living.
It performs exceptionally well in the Happy Cities Index, where it ranks 19th. This high ranking reflects the city’s strong public services, community-focused initiatives, and overall resident satisfaction.
Condé Nast Traveller’s 2021 story, This is the Best European City for Expats ranks Basel 9th, noting its high quality of life and strong international community.
The Expat Insider ranked it 7th in 2022, rising two positions from 2021.
The SRF Quality of Life 2023 report highlights Basel’s strengths in key areas such as Child care (1st), Income levels (2nd), Public transport stop density (2nd), Cultural offerings (3rd), Vacancy rate (3rd). However, there seem to be issues in categories like Theft (1st), Traffic accidents (3rd), Doctor density (5th), and Distance of stores (8th).
The QS World University Ranking ranks the University of Bern 131st. Meanwhile the Times Higher Education ranking ranks the university 123rd.
Urban Sustainability
The IESE Cities in Motion Index 2024 ranks Basel 24th, with notable strengths in Governance (7th), Social Cohesion (10th), and Economy (20th). However, the report highlights challenges in International Profile (57th), Urban Planning (106th) and Human Capital (91st).
Last updated in September 2024. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Basel’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided ‘as is’ without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
