Moscow, the capital of Russia, is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Europe and serves as the country’s political, economic, and cultural centre. With a population exceeding 12 million, the city plays a central role in national governance, finance, and infrastructure. Known for its historical landmarks, extensive public transport system, and growing urban development, Moscow continues to shape its identity as a major global city with regional influence.
But what do international rankings and indices have to say about Moscow in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Moscow’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Moscow’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 | – | – | – | – | 63 | 52 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 5 | 4 | – | – | – | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 71 | 57 | 51 | 86 | 118 | 115 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 38 | – | 34 | – | 76 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 18 | 20 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 26 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 167 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 27 | 21 | 62 | – | – | – | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 251 | 411 | 396 | 326 | 280 | 250 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 194 | 212 | 211 | 195 | 147 | 195 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 86 | 87 | – | 98 | – | 97 | 74 |
City Brand Strength
Moscow remains a prominent global city, with enduring strengths in culture, education, and strategic influence. In Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024, it ranks 26th—demonstrating resilience and continued relevance across dimensions such as human capital, cultural exchange, and international accessibility.
Meanwhile, Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024 places Moscow at 52nd, highlighting a solid level of brand recognition, though with room to grow in areas like global perception and tourism appeal.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Moscow is advancing its position as a centre for innovation and economic activity, though its global financial influence remains limited. Ranked 76th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city shows strength in research, engineering, and education, supported by a robust tech talent pool and growing digital infrastructure.
In the GFCI 37 Rank ranking, Moscow is placed 115th, indicating relatively low visibility in global financial services.
Appeal to Talent
Moscow offers a vibrant cultural and economic landscape shaped by its historical legacy, urban scale, and role as Russia’s capital, but continues to face challenges in quality of life and affordability. The city ranks 195th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, down from 147th in 2023, indicating growing concerns among residents around environmental conditions, infrastructure strain, and access to services.
Affordability remains a relative strength despite some recent shifts. Moscow ranks 250th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025—up from 280th in 2023—making it one of the more affordable major cities globally. However, this shift may also reflect inflationary pressures and changing local economic conditions.
Urban Sustainability
Moscow is making steady progress in advancing its smart city infrastructure and urban management systems. Ranked 74th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025—up from 97th in 2024—the city has shown notable improvement in areas such as digital services, mobility, and economic development.
Our Key Takeaways
Moscow remains a pivotal city in Eurasia, combining geopolitical significance with a strong legacy in science, engineering, and culture. As it modernizes its urban infrastructure and expands digital governance, the city is working to balance its historic identity with the demands of global competitiveness.
- Strengths: Strong public infrastructure, rich cultural and historical assets, leading position in science and engineering.
- Weaknesses: Low international perception, limited transparency, geopolitical isolation.
- Opportunities: Expansion of smart city systems, improved livability, deeper regional economic integration.
- Threats: Sanctions and restricted foreign investment, brain drain, volatility in global positioning.
Last updated in 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 Moscow’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.
