Oslo City Performance, Brand Strength and Reputation

Oslo, Norway’s capital city has joined the conversation of Northern European cultural hotspots from food to art to fashion. The metropolis boasts of the Munch Museum, Oslo Public Library, and the Climate House in the Botanical gardens, among other landmarks. Perceived as a green city, how does Oslo perform in terms of environmental sustainability, innovation, economic strength, and influence, as well as liveability for locals and digital nomads?

Let’s explore deeper how Oslo positions itself on the world stage, drawing insights from data provided by TPBO partners and other reputable institutions.

Let’s take a closer look at: 

• Oslo’s competitiveness and financial performance
• Oslo’s brand strength and global attractiveness
• Liveability: Oslo’s appeal for digital nomads and locals

Oslo’s competitiveness and financial performance

How attractive is Oslo as a place to work and do business? 

The Global Financial Centres Index 34 ranks Oslo 42^nd, dropping nine positions from the previous ranking. It is currently sitting between Calgary (41^st) and Osaka (43^rd). Oslo holds the 14^th place in theWestern European region.

According to 2thinknow’s Innovation Cities Index 2022-2023 Oslo ranks 34^th, a drop of nine positions from the previous ranking. The city now sits in between Philadelphia (33^rd) and Osaka (35^th).

Oslo’s brand strength and global attractiveness

Which subfactors hurt and help the brand of Oslo?

Resonance’s 2023 World’s Best Cities Report ranks Oslo 44^th, scoring the following in the Place Power highlights: 6^th in Labour Force Participation, and 8^th in Biking. It currently sits in between Austin (43^rd) and Osaka (45^th).

Kearney’s 2023 Global Cities Report ranks Oslo 49^th, jumping four positions compared to last years’ publication. Oslo ranks 20^th for the Global Cities Outlook, a jump of eight positions since the previous ranking.

According to Brand Finance’s City Index 2023, Oslo ranks 45^th in the global ranking with a score of 66.8/100, sitting in between Rotterdam (44^th) and Aukland (46^th).

Livability: Oslo’s appeal for digital nomads and locals

Which aspects of Oslo’s urban living make it an attractive place to live, work and study?

The Mercer Quality of Living City Ranking places Oslo 24^th, sitting in between Calgary (23^rd) and Hamburg (25^th). The Mercer Cost of Living Ranking ranks Oslo 60^th behind Rome (59^th) and Houston (61^st). The cost living survey reports that factors such as currency fluctuations, cost inflation for goods and services, and instability of accommodation prices are key to determine the cost of expat packages for employees on international assignment.

According to the Best Urban Cities for Digital Nomads ranking by Spot a Home, Oslo ranks 49^th out of 56 global cities. It currently sits between Paris (48^th) and Athens (50^th).

The Arcadis Sustainability City Index 2022 ranks Oslo 1^st overall, sitting in between Oslo (1^st). Stockholm’s pillar rankings are the following: Planet 1^st, People 17^th, Profit 39^th. The city’s strengths are sustainable transport, green spaces, air pollution, and energy use, while greenhouse gas emissions could be improved.

Last updated in January 2024. More city benchmarking insights, profiles and reports in our City Observatory.

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