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?
Overview of Basel’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Basel’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 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 134 | – | – | – | 65 | – | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 10 | – | – | – | 14 | 10 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | – | – | – | 4 | 5 | 5 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | – | 10 | – | – | – | 5 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 29 | 21 | – | 29 | – | 24 | 22 |
City Brand Strength
Basel’s global reputation is bolstered by its cultural vibrancy and strategic initiatives to enhance its city brand. Basel performs well in Monocle’s Small Cities Index 2024. 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.
Appeal to Investors and Business
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.
Appeal to Talent
Basel is home to a highly educated workforce and offers a high quality of life, making it attractive to talent. The city’s inclusion in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 top 10 reflects its livability, safety, and infrastructure.
Urban Sustainability
Basel’s commitment to sustainability is evident in its ranking of 22nd in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, which evaluates cities based on factors like environment, mobility, and urban planning.
Our Key Takeaways
Basel stands out as a compact, high-performing European city with global reach in science, finance, and culture. With strong foundations in quality of life, economic stability, and sustainability, Basel’s reputation as a knowledge and innovation hub continues to grow. However, the city must navigate challenges around affordability, regional competition, and long-term environmental resilience.
- Strengths: Strategic location, strong economic performance, high quality of life, commitment to sustainability.
- Weaknesses: Limited global visibility, high cost of living.
- Opportunities: Leading health innovation and research, enhancing international partnerships.
- Threats: R&D regulations in Europe, competition from other Swiss 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 Basel’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.
