Bern, the capital city of Switzerland, is renowned for its high quality of life, cultural heritage, and green spaces. Bern is a city that balances modernity with tradition, making it an attractive destination.
But how does Bern 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:
- Bern’s economic competitiveness and financial performance
- Its city brand strength and global reputation
- How appealing it is to live, work, and study
Economic Competitiveness
In the 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index, Bern ranks 155th, a significant improvement with a jump of 60 places compared to previous years. This rise indicates a growing innovation ecosystem in the city.
Bern ranks 40th in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index.
Bern’s performance in Wüest Partner’s Bilanz City Ranking 2022 is impressive, securing 3rd place among Swiss cities. This ranking, based on economic performance, innovation, and quality of life, positions Bern as a leading city for business and living in Switzerland.
City Brand Strength and Reputation
In Resonance’s Europe’s Best Cities rankings, Bern stands 30th in 2024, a 12 position drop from 18th in 2023. These rankings underscore Bern’s overall appeal as a well-rounded European destination, offering a mix of cultural richness, educational opportunities, and a high standard of living. However, it ranked 124th in overall Lovability, the lowest-ranked capital, highlighting its lower international profile.
How Attractive for Talent, Visitors, Locals?
The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking ranks Bern 13th, while the same firm’s Cost of Living Index ranks it 7th, reflecting its position as a relatively expensive city to live in, consistent with its high standards of living.
Bern is a premium city in terms of cost of living, highlighted by its 5th place in the Numbeo City Cost of Living Index.
In Spotahome’s Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads, Bern ranks 30th overall, with particularly strong performances in Internet Speed, Quality of Coworking Spaces, and Migrant Acceptance. However, it scores lower in areas such as Startup Scene, indicating potential challenges for entrepreneurs in the city.
Condé Nast Traveller’s 2021 story, This is the Best European City for Expats ranks it 3rd, highlighting its attractiveness for expats due to its high quality of life and excellent public services.
The Happy Cities Index gives Basel the rank of 44th. This index evaluates factors such as work-life balance, mental health, and overall happiness, suggesting that Bern offers a generally positive environment for its residents.
Bern is also highlighted in the SRF Quality of Life 2023 report, which evaluates quality of life across Swiss cities. It scores highly in areas like Doctor Density (ranked 1st), Cultural Offerings (2nd), Green Spaces (4th), and Child Care (4th) and Street Noise (8th), all of which contribute to a high quality of life. The report stresses room for improvement in areas like Income Levels (6th) and Vacancy Rate (5th), and Public transport stop density (9th).
The QS World University Ranking ranks the University of Bern 161st. Meanwhile the Times Higher Education ranking ranks the university 116th.
Urban Sustainability
Bern ranks 30th overall in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2024, with notable strengths in Governance (1st) and Social Cohesion (4th). However, the report highlights challenges in International Profile (79th), Urban Planning (77th) and Human Capital (71st).
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 Bern’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.
