Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city, continues to assert itself as a high-performing global city with a strong brand, world-class infrastructure, and a growing innovation economy. Known for its maritime legacy, green ambitions, and cultural richness, Hamburg ranks competitively across several international indices, showing particular strength in innovation, sustainability, and liveability.
But how does Hamburg perform in terms of economic competitiveness, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Hamburg’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Hamburg’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 | – | – | – | – | 33 | 42 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 64 | 51 | 55 | 56 | 88 | 88 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 29 | 30 | 38 | 49 | 50 | 45 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 46 | – | 90 | – | 41 | – | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 19 | – | – | – | 25 | 28 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 100 | 106 | 80 | 59 | 62 | 54 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 103 | 159 | 162 | 112 | 76 | 61 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 47 | 83 | 63 | 54 | 31 | 51 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 34 | 29 | – | 17 | – | 16 | 17 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 21 | – | 7 | – |
City Brand Strength
Hamburg holds a strong international reputation, ranking 42nd in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024 and 88th in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report. The city remains one of Germany’s most recognised urban brands, known for its waterfront appeal and cultural lifestyle.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Hamburg presents a compelling case for investors and businesses, with a strong foundation in innovation, global connectivity, and sector diversity. In the financial services sector, Hamburg is placed 45th in the GFCI 37 Rank. Innovation is another core asset. Hamburg ranks 41st in the 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index 2023.
Appeal to Talent
Hamburg stands out as a highly liveable and talent-friendly city, offering strong quality of life and international appeal. According to Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, Hamburg ranks 51st globally, and 28th globally in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, underscoring its strengths in safety, health care, purchasing power, and public infrastructure.
Hamburg offers a moderate cost of living in comparison to other Northern European cities. In Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024, it ranks 54th, and 61st in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025.
Urban Sustainability
Hamburg is increasingly recognised as a green and resilient city. It ranks 7th in the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024.
It also ranks 17th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, supported by high scores in Urban Governance and Environment, indicating its success in promoting smart and sustainable initiatives and implementing environmental policies.
Our Key Takeaways
Hamburg stands out as a vibrant, well-managed city with clear strengths in innovation, liveability, and technology. Its reputation remains robust, yet its environmental and perception-based challenges offer room for improvement. Strategic storytelling, continued investment in clean tech, and inclusive branding could elevate Hamburg’s global soft power.
- Strengths: Tech innovation, smart city leadership.
- Weaknesses: Environmental perception, housing affordability.
- Opportunities: Leadership in green logistics and AI innovation.
- Threats:Cost of living, global competition from Nordic peers.
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 Hamburg’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.
