Hong Kong, thanks to its world-class infrastructure and well-educated, talented workers, is among the world’s best places to do business. Built in a comparatively small area, the city nevertheless can boast national parks and islands, along with its famous skyline, architectural landmarks, and shopping opportunities.
But how does this bustling Asian city perform in terms of reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability?
Overview of Hong Kong’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Hong Kong’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 | – | – | – | – | 41 | 33 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 19 | 42 | 16 | 46 | 97 | 97 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 56 | – | 49 | – | 58 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 9 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 71 | – | – | – | 77 | 76 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 44 | 90 | 50 | 72 | 64 | 22 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 197 | 216 | 222 | 206 | 141 | 188 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 11 | 10 | – | 26 | – | 37 | 33 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 63 | – | 39 | – |
City Brand Strength
Hong Kong holds the 33rd position in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, reflecting a global brand rooted in financial excellence, global connectivity, and resilience. In Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, Hong Kong ranks 97th, suggesting growing concerns around quality of life, livability, and global perception.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Hong Kong continues to be one of the world’s premier financial hubs. It ranks 3rd globally in the GFCI 37 Rank, reflecting improved investor confidence and growing digital capacity.
The city also ranks 58th in the 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index 2023, still placing it within the top 100 globally for innovation.
Appeal to Talent
Hong Kong is a magnet for international talent, thanks to its strategic location, cosmopolitan lifestyle, and professional opportunities. In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, it ranks 33rd overall, with strengths in Human Capital and Mobility. However, it faces challenges in Social Cohesion and Governance, potentially impacting long-term retention of talent.
The city ranks 1st in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024, underscoring affordability concerns.
Urban Sustainability
Hong Kong has made remarkable progress in sustainability. It currently ranks 39th in the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, signalling a major shift in green infrastructure and environmental policy.
Our Key Takeaways
Hong Kong remains a global heavyweight in finance, mobility, and smart city innovation. Its recent leap in sustainability and smart governance shows commitment to long-term resilience. However, rising living costs, governance perception, and social cohesion challenges present obstacles to inclusive growth.
- Strengths: Global financial leadership, world-class mobility.
- Weaknesses: High cost of living, weak social cohesion.
- Opportunities: Strengthen environmental leadership, invest in inclusive urban policy.
- Threats: Civic trust deficits, affordability.
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 Hong Kong’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.
