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 the city perform in terms of image, reputation, influence, business attractiveness, livability, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Geneva’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Geneva’s overall performance across various international rankings. For a deeper analysis, our custom reports provide tailored insights for specific contexts, such as cities, regions, or countries.
| Ranking | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
| Brand Finance Global City Index | – | – | – | – | 22 | 15 | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 20 | 20 | 20 | 10 | 13 | 15 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 106 | – | – | – | 98 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 37 | 40 | 36 | 35 | 36 | 45 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 9 | – | 5 | – | 3 | – | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 13 | 9 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 4 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 4 | 5 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 34 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 17 | 11 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 32 | 34 | – | 47 | – | 40 | 50 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 32 | – | 37 | – |
City Brand Strength
Geneva ranks 15th globally in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, reflecting its reputation as a trusted, stable, and globally connected city. It is a world-renowned diplomatic centre, hosting the United Nations, WHO, and the Red Cross, which reinforces its soft power appeal.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Geneva ranks 15th in the GFCI 37 Study, showcasing its importance in global finance.
Appeal to Talent
Geneva is known for its excellent quality of life and international atmosphere – yet expensive. It ranks 3rd globally in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 6th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, underscoring its premium cost base.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, it ranks 50th, performing strongly in International Profile, Social Cohesion, and Governance. The city also benefits from a high ranking in Human Capital, making it attractive to global professionals.
Urban Sustainability
Geneva ranks 37th overall in the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, with solid sub-rankings in People (10th) and Planet (35th).
Our Key Takeaways
Geneva is a high-performing global city defined by international diplomacy, excellent governance, and environmental leadership. While its cost of living presents a barrier to affordability, it excels in liveability, sustainability, and reputation. It is a benchmark for small cities that command global attention.
- Strengths: Global diplomatic leadership, sustainability, quality of governance.
- Weaknesses: High cost of living, relatively low innovation performance.
- Opportunities: Strengthen its digital innovation ecosystem and attract creative industries.
- Threats: Cost pressures may reduce attractiveness for younger, mobile talent.
Last updated in May 2025. Explore 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, the data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Please verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
