Frankfurt, an essential financial hub in Germany, is renowned for its impressive skyline, vibrant cultural scene, and strategic importance in the European economy. Home to the European Central Bank and numerous international organizations, Frankfurt plays a key role in global finance. The city’s high quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and dynamic business environment make it an attractive destination for professionals and tourists alike.

But how does Frankfurt perform in terms of sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation according to leading rankings and indices?

Let’s explore:

  • Frankfurt’s economic competitiveness and sustainability performance
  • Its city brand strength and attractiveness
  • Livability: its appeal for talent, digital nomads, and locals

Economic Competitiveness and Financial Performance

The Global Financial Centres Index 35 ranks Frankfurt 13th overall, improving by one position. However, the city’s Fintech rank is 18th, indicating a slight decrease of two positions, suggesting challenges in the fintech sector. Meanwhile, the Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023 ranks Frankfurt 68th, showing a significant improvement with a positive change of 56 positions compared to the previous year.


City Brand Strength and Attractiveness

Frankfurt’s brand strength is highlighted in the 2024 World’s Best Cities Report by Resonance, where it ranks 49th overall, with scores of 25th in Livability, 97th in Lovability, and 65th in Prosperity. Meanwhile, the City Index 2023 by Brand Finance places Frankfurt 36th, highlighting its strong brand recognition and global attractiveness.


Sustainability and Livability

The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking positions Frankfurt 6th, indicating a very high quality of life. However, the Mercer Cost of Living Ranking places it 48th, reflecting an increase of fourteen positions, which may pressure residents and smaller businesses due to rising living costs.

The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Frankfurt 16th overall, while the Global Power City Index 2023 positions it at 20th, with scores of 7th in Livability, 13th in Environment, and 2nd in Accessibility.

The Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads ranking by Spot a Home ranks Frankfurt 39th overall, scoring highly in migrant acceptance (8.23), average rental cost for a 1-bedroom apartment (7.71), and green space and parks (7.25).

Finally, Frankfurt is home to notable educational institutions. The Times Higher Education ranking places Goethe University Frankfurt within the 201-250 range, while the QS World University Ranking ranks it at 302.


Last updated June 2024. Explore more city profiles here.


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