Cape Town in South Africa, often referred to as the Mother City, offers a breath of fresh air with its abundant vistas and natural sites of scenic beauty. But how attractive is this popular destination as a city for international talent, visitors, or investors? How does it compare to other cities in Africa and beyond?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Economic and sustainability performance
- Livability: Its appeal for talent, investors, visitors
- Its city brand strength and reputation
Competitiveness and Financial Performance
The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Cape Town 91st, a drop of eighteen positions from the previous ranking. It currently sits just behind Nairobi (90th) and ahead of Warsaw (92nd). The city holds the 13th place out of 15 centres in the African and Middle Eastern region. Meanwhile, according to the Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, Cape Town ranks 282nd, jumping fifty-two positions from the previous ranking.
City Brand Strength and Reputation
Cape Town’s brand strength is highlighted in Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report, where it ranks 84th, a drop of four positions from the previous ranking. Moreover, the city ranks 128th in the Global Cities Outlook, dropping six positions since the previous ranking. In City Index 2023 by Brand Finance, Cape Town fares 60th in the global ranking, with a score of 62.9 out of 100.
Cape Town’s Appeal for Talent, Investors, and Visitors
The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Cape Town 102nd, whereas the Mercer Cost of Living Ranking ranks it 210th, a drop of sixteen positions since the previous ranking. The cost-of-living survey reports that factors such as currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods and services, and instability of accommodation prices are key to determining the cost of expat packages for employees on international assignment.
Urban Sustainability
The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Cape Town 89th overall.
Last updated in January 2024. Explore more city profiles here.
Enjoyed our snapshot of global rankings and indices on Cape Town’s economic and sustainability performance, its talent attractiveness, city brand strength, and reputation? Thanks for sharing!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Cape Town’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.
