Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s capital and largest city, is a dynamic Southeast Asian hub known for its modern skyline, cultural diversity, and expanding digital economy. As a regional centre for finance, trade, and innovation, the city benefits from mature infrastructure in transportation, telecommunications, and technology. Strategic investments in AI, data infrastructure, and cybersecurity are strengthening Kuala Lumpur’s position as a competitive player in the global digital landscape.
But how does Kuala Lumpur fare in terms of sustainability performance, livability, city brand strength, and reputation, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Kuala Lumpur’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Kuala Lumpur’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 | – | – | – | – | 53 | 70 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | – | – | – | – | 50 | 50 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 41 | 48 | 56 | 80 | 59 | 51 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 81 | – | – | – | 163 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 49 | 58 | 57 | 64 | 72 | 55 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 85 | – | – | – | 86 | 91 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 141 | 144 | 152 | 181 | 180 | 200 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 280 | 408 | 420 | 385 | 288 | 231 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 188 | 201 | 201 | 270 | 143 | 183 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 100 | 106 | – | 105 | – | 107 | 104 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 71 | – | 69 | – |
City Brand Strength
Kuala Lumpur ranks 70th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024—a sign of its rising prominence as Malaysia’s cultural and economic capital. It performs even better in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities report, where it holds 50th place globally, driven by its appeal as a cosmopolitan hub known for its culinary diversity, shopping, and rich multiculturalism.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Kuala Lumpur continues to build its position as a regional business destination. It ranks 51st in the GFCI 37 Rank, reflecting solid financial sector development and increasing appeal to international investors.
In Kearney’s Global Cities 2024 Report, Kuala Lumpur ranks 55th out of 156 cities, confirming its status as a globally integrated city with economic and infrastructural momentum.
Innovation remains a longer-term priority. In the 2023 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index, Kuala Lumpur is ranked 163rd, indicating potential for development in digital capacity, startup support, and research infrastructure.
Appeal to Talent
Kuala Lumpur offers a relatively high quality of life within Southeast Asia. It ranks 91st in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, supported by a strong expatriate community and improving urban amenities. Cost of living is low by global standards. The city ranks 200th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Ranking 2024 and 231st in the Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, making it a highly affordable destination for professionals and entrepreneurs.
However, its overall liveability has room to improve. In Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, Kuala Lumpur is placed at 183rd, suggesting continued challenges around traffic congestion, air quality, and access to services.
Urban Sustainability
Kuala Lumpur is showing promise in the area of sustainable urban development. It ranks 69th in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024, indicating balanced performance across the environmental, social, and economic pillars of sustainability.
The city ranks 104th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, reflecting a moderate standing in areas such as urban mobility, governance, and technological readiness. Ongoing smart city initiatives and infrastructure investments are expected to improve these metrics in future editions.
Our Key Takeaways
Kuala Lumpur combines affordability, cultural vibrancy, and growing financial significance to form a compelling profile in Southeast Asia. While challenges remain in innovation performance and urban liveability, the city is making progress in sustainability and global connectivity. Strengthening public services and enhancing its innovation ecosystem will be key to realising its long-term ambitions.
Strengths: Competitive cost of living, strong cultural identity, rising status as a regional financial centre.
Weaknesses: Moderate innovation capacity, limited environmental resistance.
Opportunities: Positioning as a sustainability leader in Southeast Asia, scale digital public services.
Threats: Perception gaps in governance and transparency, stiff regional competition from faster-innovating peers.
Last updated July 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Kuala Lumpur’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.
