Jakarta, the bustling capital city of Indonesia, is a dynamic metropolis known for its economic vitality, rich cultural heritage, and strategic importance in Southeast Asia. The city is a significant economic hub, with strengths in finance, trade, manufacturing, and technology. Jakarta’s vibrant urban landscape, coupled with its strategic location, makes it an attractive destination for businesses, residents, and tourists alike.
But how does Jakarta fare in terms of economic and sustainability performance, city brand strength, and reputation according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Jakarta’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Jakarta’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 | – | – | – | – | 70 | 74 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | – | – | – | 89 | – | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 81 | 66 | 95 | 95 | 97 | 97 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 119 | – | – | – | 246 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 59 | 70 | 67 | 69 | 74 | 74 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 142 | – | – | – | 148 | 148 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 105 | 86 | 104 | 151 | 151 | 157 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 265 | 393 | 403 | 440 | 312 | 264 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 221 | 247 | 248 | 231 | 187 | 249 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 142 | 133 | – | 152 | – | 135 | 145 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 83 | – | 75 | – |
City Brand Strength
Jakarta ranks 74th globally in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, reflecting its growing recognition as a major Southeast Asian urban centre. In Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2023 report, Jakarta holds the 89th position, supported by its cultural dynamism and demographic vitality.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Jakarta ranks 97th in the GFCI 37 Rank, reflecting its growing role as an emerging financial centre in Southeast Asia.
In Kearney’s Global Cities 2024 Report, Jakarta ranks 74th out of 156 cities, highlighting its role as a key regional player with increasing global integration.
Appeal to Talent
Jakarta offers a dynamic urban experience, though quality of life remains a work in progress. According to Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, the city ranks 148th, reflecting challenges in areas such as infrastructure, mobility, and healthcare. In terms of affordability, Mercer’s Cost of Living Ranking 2024 places Jakarta at 157th, suggesting it remains relatively affordable compared to many global cities.
However, Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025 ranks Jakarta 249th, and its Cost of Living Index 2025 places it at 264th, further underscoring that while the city offers low living costs, its liveability metrics still lag behind more established urban centres.
Urban Sustainability
Jakarta is gradually improving its sustainability performance, supported by investments in infrastructure, resilience, and public services. In the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024, it ranks 75th, marking an improvement of eight places from the previous edition—an encouraging sign of progress across the economic, environmental, and social dimensions of urban sustainability.
However, in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, Jakarta ranks 145th, pointing to continued challenges in governance, urban planning, and environmental management that will require sustained focus in the years ahead.
Our Key Takeaways
Jakarta presents a complex profile as a megacity balancing rapid urbanisation with infrastructure and governance challenges. While it shows encouraging progress in sustainability and holds growing appeal for investment, quality of life and urban cohesion remain key areas for improvement. Continued reforms and strategic investment in innovation and public services could enhance Jakarta’s global standing.
Strengths: Strategic location, improving sustainability performance, growing investment appeal.
Weaknesses: Low quality of life indicators, urban congestion, governance limitations.
Opportunities: Advancing smart city initiatives, regional leadership in ASEAN’s digital economy.
Threats: Environmental risks, rising inequality, vulnerability to climate-related disruptions.
Last updated July 2025. More city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Jakarta’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.
