Copenhagen projects the image of a sustainable cyclist’s haven that is tolerant and progressive. But how does the capital of Denmark fare in the different rankings and indices that study the world’s top cities in terms of sustainability, brand strength, and reputation?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Copenhagen’s competitiveness and financial performance
- Its brand strength and global attractiveness
- Livability: how attractive for talent, visitors, locals?
Economic Competitiveness and Financial Performance
How attractive is Copenhagen as a place to work and do business?
The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Copenhagen 31st, dropping seven positions from the previous ranking. It currently sits between Toronto (30th) and Qingdao (32nd). It also ranked well in the Fintech (10th) industry sector and holds the 11th position in the Western European region.
In the Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, Copenhagen ranks 30th, a jump of 24 positions from the previous ranking. The city now sits between Vancouver (29th) and Miami (31st).
City Brand Strength and Global Attractiveness
In World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance, Copenhagen ranks 41st, scoring the following in Place Power Highlights: 25th in Labour Force Participation and 22nd for Universities. It currently sits just behind Warsaw (40th) and above Taipei (42nd).
In Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report, Copenhagen ranks 41st, a jump of one position from the previous ranking, sitting right behind Stockholm (40th) and above Seattle (42nd). The city also ranks 2nd in the Global Cities Outlook, a jump of six positions since the previous ranking.
The Global Power City Index ranks Copenhagen 11th. In terms of function-specific rankings, the city fares 19th in Economy, 28th in R&D, 33rd in Cultural Interaction, 15th in Livability, 2nd in Environment, and 10th in Accessibility. Copenhagen ranks 10th for Average Driving Speed. Lastly, it is positioned 8th in Highly-skilled Workers, 9th in Corporate Executive, 8th in Resident, and 18th in Tourism categories.
According to City Index 2023 by Brand Finance, Copenhagen ranks 31st globally, with a score of 70 out of 100, now sitting between Stockholm (30th) and Seattle (32nd).
Livability: How Attractive as a Place to Live, Work, and Study?
The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Copenhagen 4th, sitting right behind Auckland in New Zealand (3rd) and above Geneva (5th). The Cost of Living Ranking ranks it 9th, just behind Tel Aviv (8th). The cost-of-living survey reports that factors such as currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods and services, and accommodation price instability are key to determining the cost of expat packages for employees on international assignment.
According to the Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads ranking by Spot a Home, Copenhagen ranks 46th out of 56 global cities. It currently sits between Zurich (45th) and Milan (47th).
The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Copenhagen 4th overall, sitting between Tokyo (3rd) and Berlin (5th). Its pillar-specific rankings are as follows: Planet 4th, People 3rd, and Profit 42nd.
Last updated in January 2024. Explore more city benchmarking insights, profiles, and reports in our City Observatory.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Copenhagen’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.
