Mexico City – Economic Performance, Brand Strength and Reputation

Mexico City, the capital of Mexico and one of Latin America’s business and cultural hubs, is a city full of contradictions, judging by international rankings and research. The high levels of inequality and corruption, as well as enduring and harmful stereotypes, also permeate the city’s image abroad. At the same time, its urban development appeals to many digital nomads. So how is Mexico City really performing in terms of reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?

Let’s take a closer look at:

• Economic competitiveness and financial performance
• City brand strength and global reputation
• How appealing it is for talent, visitors, and locals

Economic Competitiveness

The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Mexico City 113^th, dropping 16 positions from the previous ranking—now between Bratislava (112^th) and Moscow (114^th).

According to 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023, it ranks 61^st, an impressive jump of 100 positions from the previous ranking—now right next to Lisbon (60^th) and Buenos Aires (62^nd).

City Brand Strength and Reputation

According to Brand Finance’s City Index 2023, Mexico City ranks 59^th globally, now right between Beijing (58^th) and Cape Town (60^th).

Resonance’s 2023 World’s Best Cities Report ranks Mexico City 76^th, scoring the following in the Place Power Highlights sub-factors: 13^th in Museums and 19^th in Facebook Check-ins.

Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks it a strong 28^th, a jump of three positions from the previous ranking. It currently sits between Frankfurt (27^th) and Vienna (29^th). Moreover, the city ranks 113^th in the same firm’s Global Cities Outlook, a drop of two positions since the previous edition.

The Global Power City Index ranks Mexico City 43^rd. In terms of function-specific rankings, the city ranks 44^th in Economy, 44^th in R&D, 16^th in Cultural Interaction, 41^st in Livability, 38^th in Environment, and 41^st in Accessibility.

How Attractive Is It as a Place to Live, Work, and Study?

The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Mexico City 130^th, sitting between Bogotá (129^th) and Tunis (131^st). The same firm’s Cost of Living Ranking puts it 79^th, surpassing Detroit (80^th).

Lastly, Mexico City is home to one of the best universities in the world, according to the QS World University Ranking: the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México at 93^rd place.

Urban Sustainability

The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Mexico City 79^th overall, with sustainability pillar rankings as follows: Planet 53^rd, People 83^rd, Profit 77^th.

Last updated in January 2024. Explore more city profiles here.

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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Mexico City’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.