Medellín, Colombia’s second-largest city with a population of approximately 2.5 million people, stands out for its vibrant culture, innovative spirit, and significant improvements in urban planning and social cohesion over recent decades. The city has evolved into a major hub for business, tourism, and education, and is often praised for its transformative environmental sustainability projects and social initiatives, notably the “Green Corridors” project, launched in 2016. It aimed to combat urban heat and reduce air pollution in the urban environment by creating interconnected networks of green spaces.
But how does Medellín perform in terms of economic competitiveness, innovation, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation according to leading rankings and indices?
Let’s explore:
- Medellín’s economic competitiveness and financial performance
- Livability: How appealing is it to talent, visitors, and locals?
Economic Competitiveness and Financial Performance
2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023 ranks Medellín 294th globally, showing a notable improvement with a change of 39 places. This demonstrates the city’s growing reputation as an innovation hub in Latin America.
Livability: How Attractive Is It to Live, Work, and Study?
The Numbeo Cost of Living Index ranks Medellín 262nd, indicating a relatively low cost of living compared to other major global cities. Meanwhile, the city holds the 148th position in the Numbeo Quality of Living Index, suggesting that there is decent access to amenities and services.
In the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2024, the city ranks 137th overall: Environment (99th), Economy (109th), and Governance (142nd), International Profile (142nd), and Mobility and Transportation (142nd). The city still needs to improve particularly in Human Capital (148th) and Social Cohesion (149th), Technology (152nd), and Urban Planning (176th).
The Times Higher Education ranking ranks the University of Antioquia in the 1201–1500th bracket and 33rd in Latin America. The same ranking places the University of Medellín 126-150th Latin America Rankings 2023. Meanwhile, the QS World University ranking ranks the University of Antioquia in the 791–800th bracket and 17th in Latin America. The ranking also includes the University of Medellín in the 1401+ brackets and 129th in Latin America.
Last updated in August 2024. Explore more city profiles here.
Enjoyed our summary of global rankings and indices on Medellín’s economic competitiveness and sustainability performance, its city brand strength and reputation? Spread the word!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Miami’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.
