Geneva, located on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland, is a global hub for diplomacy, finance, and innovation. 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 does Geneva perform in terms of image, reputation, influence, business attractiveness, liveability, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Geneva’s economic competitiveness and financial performance
- Its city brand strength and global reputation
- How appealing it is to live, work, and study
Economic Competitiveness
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).
In Switzerland, the city ranks 6th in Wüest Partner’s Bilanz City Ranking 2022. This ranking is based on economic performance, innovation, and quality of life.
Geneva ranks 21st in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index.
City Brand Strength and Reputation
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).
In the Resonance Europe’s Best Cities 2024 rankings, Geneva ranks 24th, falling 14 positions since 2023.
The Expat Insider ranks the city 30th in 2023, indicating an upward trend as it rose from 47th in 2021 to 34th in 2022.
How Attractive for Talent, Visitors, and Locals?
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).
Geneva is ranked 3rd in the Numbeo City Cost of Living Index and 21st in the Numbeo City Quality of Living Index, highlighting its position as a city with both high costs and high living standards.
In Spotahome’s Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads, Geneva ranks 18th, with strong performances in Internet Speed, Quality of Coworking Spaces, and Migrant Acceptance. However, the city scores lower in its Startup Score, indicating some challenges for entrepreneurship.
Geneva ranks 9th in the Happy Cities Index, showing that it offers a generally positive environment for its residents.
The SRF Quality of Life 2023 report, highlights Geneva’s strengths in key areas such as Child care (1st), Income levels (4th), Public transport stop density (1st). However, there are issues in categories like Cultural offerings (9th), Vacancy rate (7th). Theft (4th), Traffic accidents (1st), Doctor density (7th), and Distance to stores (9th).
The Global Liveability Index 2024 ranks Geneva 5th.
In 2024, the Times Higher Education ranking placed the University of Geneva 183rd, whereas The QS World University ranking positions the same university 128th.
Urban Sustainability
The Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index ranks Geneva 47th, between Denver (48th) and Taipei (46th). Its pillar rankings are: Planet 33rd, People 36th, and Profit 54th.
Geneva ranks 4th in the Smart City Index 2024, reflecting its leadership in technological infrastructure and smart city initiatives.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index, Geneva is ranked 40th overall, with notable strengths in Governance (6th) and Economy (25th), though there is room for improvement in Urban Planning (109th), Human Capital (106th) and Mobility (103rd).
Last updated in September 2024. More city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Geneva’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.
