Vancouver, a leading coastal seaport in western Canada, is one of the most diverse cities in North America. A popular tourist destination and place to live, it is well-known for its scenery, climate, and friendly people. With a thriving economy, including its animation and film industry, it has also hosted a variety of international events, such as the 2010 Winter Olympics.
But how does Vancouver perform in international rankings that measure the global power, business attractiveness and sustainability of cities, and their reputation?
Overview of Vancouver’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Vancouver’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 | – | – | – | – | 25 | 29 | – |
| Resonance World’s Best Cities | – | 41 | 34 | 69 | 50 | 22 | 22 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 22 | 11 | 33 | 32 | 46 | 31 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 36 | – | – | – | 29 | – | – |
| Kearney Global Cities Index | 38 | 41 | 39 | 37 | 38 | 40 | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 3 | – | – | – | 8 | 7 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 112 | 94 | 93 | 108 | 116 | 101 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 71 | 133 | 89 | 103 | 48 | 65 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 56 | 36 | 57 | 55 | 70 | 84 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 55 | 44 | – | 55 | – | 56 | 67 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 17 | – | 36 | – |
City Brand Strength
Vancouver is a globally recognized city celebrated for its natural beauty, livability, and growing role as an innovation and cultural hub. Ranked 29th in Brand Finance’s Global City Index 2024, 22nd in Resonance Consultancy‘s World’s Best Cities 2025 report, and 40th in Kearney’s Global Power City Index 2024, Vancouver combines economic vitality with a strong commitment to sustainability and quality of life. Its diverse economy, multicultural population, and leadership in green initiatives position it as a forward-looking global city balancing growth with environmental stewardship.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Vancouver stands as a prominent North American center of innovation, sustainability, and cultural diversity, combining economic dynamism with a globally recognized quality of life. Ranked 29th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city is building its reputation as a hub for startups, clean technology, and research, supported by strong universities and a highly skilled workforce. Its 31st position in the GFCI 37 Rank underscores Vancouver’s emerging role in global finance, complementing its strengths in innovation, green leadership, and international connectivity.
Appeal to Talent
Vancouver combines exceptional livability with cultural vibrancy, natural beauty, and growing global connectivity. Ranked 7th in Mercer’s Quality of Living Ranking 2024, the city is internationally recognized for its safety, healthcare, and public services, alongside its renowned access to nature and sustainability focus. However, its 84th position in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025 points to persistent challenges, particularly around housing affordability and urban congestion. On the cost side, Vancouver ranks 101st in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 65th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, reflecting a relatively high cost profile, with housing remaining the most significant expense for residents.
Urban Sustainability
Vancouver is a globally recognized city that blends natural beauty with economic vitality and a strong focus on sustainability. Ranked 67th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, the city shows solid performance in mobility, governance, and quality of life, though it faces challenges in global competitiveness and infrastructure capacity. Its 36th place in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024 reflects Vancouver’s longstanding commitment to green urban planning, climate resilience, and environmental stewardship.
Our Key Takeaways
Vancouver is a Pacific gateway city renowned for its natural setting, sustainability leadership, and growing role in technology and creative industries. The city’s economy is anchored by film production, video games, green tech, and international trade through the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s largest. Supported by a highly educated workforce and a reputation for livability, Vancouver attracts global talent and investment. Yet the city faces acute housing affordability challenges, infrastructure constraints, and a heavy reliance on real estate and natural resources.
- Strengths: World-class natural environment and livability, strong film and digital media industries, Pacific Rim trade hub with Canada’s busiest port.
- Weaknesses: Severe housing affordability crisis, reliance on real estate and resource sectors, limited regional transport connectivity.
- Opportunities: Growth in clean tech and sustainable urban solutions, expanding film and gaming clusters, deeper trade ties with Asia-Pacific.
- Threats: Climate change impacts (wildfires, flooding), economic volatility tied to real estate markets, rising competition from other West Coast cities.
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 Vancouver’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.
