Wellington is a vibrant blend of business dynamism, cultural richness, and natural beauty. Renowned for its high quality of life, the capital city of New Zealand stands as a key economic hub in the region, attracting a diverse array of industries from finance to technology. The city boasts a thriving creative sector, with a burgeoning film industry that has earned global recognition.
But how is Wellington performing in terms of city reputation and influence, business attractiveness, and sustainability, according to leading rankings and indices?
Overview of Wellington’s Performance & Potential
The following table offers an overview of Wellington’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 |
| Global Financial Centres Index | – | 31 | 46 | 45 | 52 | 41 | 49 |
| 2Thinknow Innovation Cities Index | 120 | – | 98 | – | 166 | – | – |
| Mercer Quality of Living Ranking | 15 | – | – | – | 12 | 14 | – |
| Mercer Cost of Living Ranking | 114 | 123 | 94 | 120 | 139 | 145 | – |
| Numbeo Cost of Living Index | – | 113 | 117 | 87 | 54 | 52 | 98 |
| Numbeo Quality of Life Index | – | 4 | 3 | 11 | 56 | 73 | 40 |
| IESE Cities in Motion Index | 26 | 23 | – | 70 | – | 54 | 60 |
| Arcadis Sustainable Cities Index | – | – | – | 42 | – | 26 | – |
City Brand Strength
Wellington is a distinctive capital city brand, recognized for its creative energy, vibrant culture, and natural beauty. The city has built a reputation as New Zealand’s political and cultural heart, with a thriving film, arts, and tech scene that enhances its international profile. Its compact urban design, strong civic identity, and scenic waterfront setting contribute to a sense of place that is both authentic and appealing, attracting talent, tourists, and investment alike.
Appeal to Investors and Business
Wellington is New Zealand’s dynamic capital, blending political influence with a growing focus on innovation and economic diversification. Ranked 166th in 2Thinknow’s Innovation Cities 2023 Index, the city is gradually developing its tech, research, and creative sectors, while its 49th position in the GFCI 37 Rank reflects a notable regional role in finance and global connectivity.
Appeal to Talent
Wellington offers a high standard of living, combining scenic surroundings with strong public services, safety, and social infrastructure. Ranked 14th in Mercer’s aQuality of Living Ranking 2024 and 40th in Numbeo’s Quality of Life Index 2025, the city is recognized for its overall livability, though challenges such as limited housing supply and urban congestion remain. On the cost side, Wellington ranks 145th in Mercer’s Cost of Living Index 2024 and 98th in Numbeo’s Cost of Living Index 2025, reflecting a moderately high cost profile influenced by housing and lifestyle expenses relative to other cities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Urban Sustainability
Wellington is steadily advancing as a sustainable and well-governed capital, balancing urban development with environmental stewardship. Ranked 60th in the IESE Cities in Motion Index 2025, the city demonstrates solid performance in governance, mobility, and urban planning, while its 26th place in the Arcadis Sustainable City Index 2024 underscores Wellington’s strong commitment to sustainability, climate resilience, and green urban development.
Our Key Takeaways
Wellington is New Zealand’s political and creative capital, recognized for its innovation-driven economy, vibrant cultural scene, and strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region. The city’s economy is anchored in government services, film and digital media, tech startups, and a growing sustainability sector. With a highly educated, globally connected workforce and a compact, walkable urban core, Wellington attracts talent and investment while fostering a unique lifestyle rooted in creativity and natural surroundings.
- Strengths: Leading hub for film, creative industries, and public administration; highly skilled and internationally connected workforce; strong brand as a culturally vibrant, innovative city.
- Weaknesses: Limited scale compared with major global cities; housing affordability pressures; reliance on government and niche creative sectors.
- Opportunities: Leveraging international cultural and innovation partnerships, enhancing global recognition for talent and investment.
- Threats: Climate risks such as earthquakes and sea-level rise.
Last updated in September 2025. Explore more city profiles here.
Did you know? Our custom reports complement publicly available rankings by offering a deeper look at your city’s performance and potential. They combine independent benchmarking across key indices with expert community feedback—highlighting how your city is perceived and where it stands out. Designed to support place branding leaders, these reports provide clear, actionable insights to strengthen strategy, positioning, and international reputation.
📊 Want to see an example? Contact us today!
Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Wellington’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.
