Sydney, Australia is a dynamic coastal city known for its stunning natural setting, thriving economy, and diverse cultural scene. As Australia’s largest city, it serves as a hub for business, innovation, and international connectivity, offering a unique blend of lifestyle, opportunity, and global influence.
But how is Sydney performing in terms of city reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Sydney’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Sydney’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 | – | – | – | – | 5 | 8 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 22 | 25 | 25 | 35 | 10 | 10 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 20 | 18 | 23 | 15 | 18 | 30 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 15 | – | 4 | – | 18 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 11 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 18 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 11 | – | – | – | 9 | 12 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 50 | 66 | 31 | 58 | 56 | 58 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 37 | 30 | 42 | 37 | 43 | 37 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 42 | 29 | 32 | 20 | 68 | 49 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 19 | 17 | – | 36 | – | 28 | 19 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 33 | – | 33 | – |
City Brand Strength
Sydney stands as one of the world’s most dynamic and globally recognised cities, celebrated for its economic strength, cultural diversity, and iconic natural setting. Ranked 8th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, 10th in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, and 18th in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024, Sydney combines lifestyle appeal with business competitiveness, positioning it as a leading hub in the Asia-Pacific for innovation, finance, and global connectivity.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Sydney stands as a global hub of innovation and finance, combining cutting-edge economic development with a world-renowned lifestyle appeal. Ranked 18th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city is a leader in digital transformation, advanced industries, and creative sectors, supported by top-tier universities and a skilled, diverse workforce. Its 30th position in the GFCI 37 Rank underscores Sydney’s strength as a financial centre in the Asia-Pacific, playing a pivotal role in regional and international trade.
Appeal to Talent
Sydney combines an enviable lifestyle with global recognition for its liveability, natural beauty, and cultural diversity. Ranked 12th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024 and 49th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, the city offers excellent healthcare, education, and recreational amenities, complemented by its stunning harbour setting and outdoor lifestyle. On the cost side, Sydney ranks 58th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 37th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, highlighting its status as a relatively expensive city, with housing affordability and everyday expenses among its key challenges. Despite these costs, Sydney continues to attract global talent and investment, balancing economic opportunity with a world-class quality of life.
Urban Sustainability
Sydney is a globally significant city that combines its iconic natural setting with forward-looking urban development and innovation. Ranked 19th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025 and 33rd in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024, Sydney demonstrates strong performance in areas such as digital connectivity, mobility, and social infrastructure, while continuing to advance its sustainability agenda. With its commitment to climate resilience, renewable energy, and inclusive growth, Sydney positions itself as a dynamic, future-ready metropolis that balances economic opportunity with quality of life and environmental responsibility.
Our Key Takeaways
Sydney is a leading global innovation hub, recognised for its dynamic economy, world-class universities, and iconic natural setting. The city thrives in technology, finance, and creative industries, supported by a highly skilled workforce, cutting-edge research institutions, and a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem. Its high quality of life, cultural diversity, and commitment to sustainability enhance its global appeal, though challenges remain around housing affordability and urban congestion.
- Strengths: Dynamic tech and innovation ecosystem, strong financial and creative industries, highly skilled workforce.
- Weaknesses: High housing costs, traffic congestion.
- Opportunities: Investment in affordable housing, expansion of knowledge-based industries.
- Threats: Global economic volatility, competition from other Asia-Pacific innovation hubs.
Last updated in August 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Sydney’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.
