Santiago de Chile, the capital and economic hub of Chile, is known for its dynamic business environment, cultural vibrancy, and geographical diversity. As one of Latin America’s key financial centres, the city balances modern infrastructure with a strong cultural and academic presence.
But what do international rankings and indices have to say about Santiago in terms of its economic performance, sustainability, city brand strength, and reputation?
Overview of Santiago’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers a snapshot of Santiago’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 | – | – | – | – | 66 | 56 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 95 | – | – | 70 | 84 | – |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 93 | 81 | 69 | 88 | 96 | – |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 136 | – | – | – | 330 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 60 | 62 | 58 | 55 | 51 | 53 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | – | – | – | 93 | 104 | 98 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 79 | 134 | 108 | 130 | 87 | 160 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 260 | 359 | 377 | 320 | 231 | 202 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 175 | 213 | 220 | 209 | 171 | 227 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | – | – | 66 | 68 | 75 | 91 | – |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 80 | – | 81 | – |
Soft Power and Brand Strength
Santiago enjoys a growing international presence, with its cultural and economic significance reflected in the Brand Finance Global City Index 2024, where it rose 10 places to be ranked 56 out of 100 globally. This ranking showcases its strong reputation in Latin America and increasing global recognition.
Appeal to Business and Investors
Santiago maintains its position as a key financial centre in the region, ranking 96 out of 121 in the Global Financial Centres Index 36 despite a decline of four places. Its Fintech ranking stands at 99, dropping by one spot, indicating room for growth in digital finance.
In the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024, the city ranks 119 overall. Its economic ranking stands at 172, human capital at 27, governance at 296, environment at 301, and quality of life at 330.
In terms of global city competitiveness, Santiago ranks 51st in the 2023 Global Cities Index, an improvement of four places, while its Global Cities Outlook ranking has risen to 86, gaining eleven spots—suggesting a positive long-term trajectory. However, innovation remains a challenge, as its position in the 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index fell sharply to 330, a drop of 124 places.
Appeal to Talent
Santiago is home to several esteemed universities that contribute significantly to its academic landscape. In the Times Higher Education 2025 University Rankings, the University of Chile is placed in the 1001–1200 bracket, while the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile ranks within the 501–600 range.
Additionally, the Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH) holds the 461 position in the The QS World University ranking. These institutions enhance Santiago’s appeal to both local and international students, reinforcing its status as a centre for higher education in Latin America.
Santiago is home to top-tier universities and offers a competitive cost of living compared to many global cities. In the Mercer Quality of Living Ranking 2024, it ranks 98, showing an improvement of six places. However, the cost of living is relatively moderate, ranking 160 in the Mercer Cost of Living Ranking 2024, a significant improvement from the previous year’s 233.
Other indicators, such as the Numbeo Quality of Life Index, place Santiago at 167, while the Numbeo Cost of Living Index ranks it 187, indicating a balance between affordability and liveability.
Urban Sustainability
Santiago demonstrates a moderate performance regarding urban sustainability. In the Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index 2024, it ranks 81 out of 100 overall, and specifically: People (67), Planet (86), Profit (79), and Progress (31).
Its ranking in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2024 stands at 91, reflecting some strengths in mobility and transportation (44), governance (29), and room for improvement in the human capital pillar (76).
This graph illustrates how Santiago de Chile performs across rankings that are most relevant regarding urban sustainability and liveability – two factors that are especially important for attracting and retaining skilled workers and residents, and for securing the future potential of the city.
Our Key Takeaways
Santiago de Chile presents a well-rounded profile as a global city, benefiting from a stable economy, a growing financial sector, and strong governance. However, challenges remain in innovation and quality of life.
- Strengths: Strategic economic hub in Latin America, improving governance, strong financial centre, increasing global recognition.
- Weaknesses: Declining innovation ranking, moderate cost-of-living competitiveness, quality of life challenges.
- Opportunities: Growth in digital finance and fintech, investments in sustainable urban development, strengthening global brand perception.
- Threats: Economic fluctuations, environmental challenges, potential stagnation in business competitiveness.
Last updated in February 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
Did you know? Our custom reports offer in-depth insights into rankings, brand performance, and perceptions—helping decision-makers strengthen the reputation and identity of their cities, regions, or countries. Designed for place branding leaders, they combine expert analysis with tailored recommendations to drive real impact.
📊 Want to see an example? Contact us today!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Santiago’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.
