Dubai – City Performance, Brand Strength and Reputation

Dubai, a leading hub of the Middle East and largest city of the United Arab Emirates, boasts a strong international cultural exchange between locals, tourists and sojourners seeking an alternative, near-futuristic lifestyle in a glimmering city that strives to be the biggest and best. The city’s multiculturalism attracts a diverse population, and its commitment to hosting major international events like Expo 2020 and COP28 reinforces its global standing.

But how do leading rankings and indices assess Dubai’s city brand appeal to international investors and talent, its economic and sustainable development, soft power and reputation?

Let’s take a closer look at:

• Dubai’s economic competitiveness and financial performance
• Livability: Its appeal for digital nomads and locals
• Its city brand strength and reputation

Economic Competitiveness and Financial Performance

How attractive as a place to work and do business?

The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Dubai 21^st, an increase of one position from the previous ranking. It is currently sitting between Tokyo (20^th) and Sydney (22^nd). Moreover, it holds a strong standing in the following industry sectors: FinTech (11^th), Investment Management (13^th) and Professional Services (15^th). Indeed, Dubai is the best performer in the Middle East and African region, followed by Abu Dhabi (35^th) and Casablanca (54^th).

According to 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, Dubai ranks 14^th, an impressive jump of 14 positions from the previous ranking. The city now sits between Stockholm (13^th) and Toronto (15^th).

City Brand Strength and Global Attractiveness

Resonance’s 2023 World’s Best Cities Report ranks Dubai 6^th, scoring the following in the Place Power Score subfactors: 4^th in Prosperity, 5^th in Lovability, and 35^th in Livability. It currently sits in between Singapore (5^th) and San Francisco (7^th). The city also ranks 8^th in the Attractions subcategory.

Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks Dubai 23^rd, falling one position compared to last year’s publication. Moreover, it fares 38^th in the Global Cities Outlook, a drop of 27 positions.

The Global Power City Index ranks Dubai 8^th, joining the top 10 for the first time. In terms of function-specific rankings, the city ranks 24^th in terms of Economy, 39^th in R&D, 4^th in Cultural Interaction, 19^th in Livability, 44^th in Environment, and 6^th in Accessibility. Moreover, Dubai ranks 5^th in the Highly-skilled Workers section, this positioning is presumed to be directly correlated to the city’s Workstyle Flexibility ranking (1^st) and overall improvement of its work environment. Lastly, it ranks 15^th in the Corporate Executive, 29^th in the Resident and 4^th in the Tourism categories.

According to Brand Finance’s City Index 2023, Dubai ranks 9^th in the global ranking with a score of 75.8/100, sitting in between San Francisco (8^th) and Amsterdam (10^th). The city positioned 1^st for future growth potential, 2^nd in strong and stable economy, and 3^rd as a city of global significance, sitting right behind London and New York City.

Livability: How Appealing for Talent, Locals, Visitors?

The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Dubai 79^th, just ahead of Budapest (80^th), Seoul (81^st), but below Hong Kong (77^th). The Mercer Cost of Living Ranking ranks it 18^th, behind Seoul (16^th) and London (17^th).

According to the Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads ranking by Spot a Home, Dubai only ranks 52^nd out of 56 global cities. It currently sits between nearby Abu Dhabi (51^st) and Tokyo (53^rd).

Last updated in January 2024. Explore more city profiles here.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Dubai’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.