Geneva is a tranquil blend of natural splendor, diplomacy, and innovation. Situated on the shores of Lake Geneva, between the Swiss Alps and the border of France, Geneva has been a significant symbol of peace since the signing of the Geneva Convention. Home to the United Nations and the headquarters of over 200 international organisations, including the Red Cross, Geneva serves as a vital hub for global diplomacy.
But how do leading rankings and indices assess Geneva in terms of economic and sustainability performance, city brand strength and reputation?
Let’s explore:
- Geneva’s competitiveness and financial performance
- Its city brand strength and global attractiveness
- Livability: its appeal for talent, locals and visitors
Geneva’s Competitiveness and Financial Performance
The Global Financial Centres Index 35 ranks Geneva 7th, between Shanghai (6th) and Los Angeles (8th). The GFCI 35 highlights it as one of the top 15 most competitive financial centres. It leads in the areas of Human Capital, Financial Centre Development, and Business Environment, in addition to Industry Sectors such as Banking (4th), Investment Management (7th), Insurance (11th), Government & Regulatory (7th), Professional Services (10th), and FinTech (8th). It is also ranked 2nd in Western Europe, right between London (1st) and Frankfurt (3rd).
Geneva is ranked 98th in 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023. This is a significant increase of 101 positions and the city now sits between Cologne (97th) and Fort Lauderdale (99th).
City Brand Strength and Global Attractiveness
Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks Geneva 36th, between Milan (35th) and Rome (37th). It is placed 13th in Kearney’s Global City Outlook ranking, highlighting that the city continues to remain a dynamic centre and an ideal home to numerous International organisations.
The comprehensive ranking of the Global Power City Index ranks Geneva 26th, between Chicago (25th) and San Francisco (27th). In function-specific rankings, Geneva performs well in Environment (3rd), Economy (8th), and R&D (23rd).
Brand Finance’s City Index 2023 positions Geneva 22nd, between Madrid (23rd) and Manchester (21st).
Livability: How Attractive for Talent, Locals, Visitors?
The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Geneva 5th, between Frankfurt (6th) and Copenhagen (4th). The Mercer Cost of Living Ranking places the city 4th, between its Swiss sister cities Basel (5th) and Zurich (3rd).
In the Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads ranking by Spot a Home, Geneva is ranked 18th, between Montreal (19th) and Amsterdam (17th). The city ranks highly in Green Spaces and Parks, Migrant Acceptance, and Quality of Coworking Spaces.
The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Geneva 47th, between Denver (48th) and Taipei (46th). Its pillar rankings are: Planet 33rd, People 36th, Profit 54th.
In 2024, the Times Higher Education ranking placed the University of Geneva 183rd, whereas The QS World University ranking positions the same university 128th.
Last updated in June 2024. More city profiles here
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