Dubai has been recognized as the leading city in the Middle East and Africa in the ‘Global City Index 2024’ report by Brand Finance, maintaining its top position in the region for the second year in a row. The city excelled across all major performance indicators, reaffirming its economic leadership in the area.
In this year’s rankings, Dubai has climbed to fifth place globally, achieving an impressive score of 86 out of 100. This score places Dubai ahead of prominent global cities like Singapore, Los Angeles, Sydney, San Francisco, and Amsterdam, which ranked sixth through tenth, respectively.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council, attributed Dubai’s success to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, and Ruler of Dubai.
He noted that the city’s progress is guided by the Dubai Plan 2030 and strategic economic and social plans for the coming decade. These initiatives are designed to enhance Dubai’s global competitiveness in various sectors.
Sheikh Hamdan expressed gratitude to the teams responsible for these accomplishments, emphasizing their teamwork in shaping Dubai’s success story. He acknowledged that global recognition motivates Dubai’s teams to develop innovative solutions that support growth and excellence.
“We appreciate every effort that has secured Dubai’s position as the top city in the Middle East and North Africa for the second consecutive year. We also celebrate its rise into the top five cities worldwide in a respected report comparing 100 leading city brands. This report reflects perceptions of quality of life and opportunities for work, investment, education, and retirement. Dubai is seen as the most attractive investment destination and leads in future growth expectations, shaping the future that many around the world aspire to.”
Dubai has made impressive progress this year, climbing four spots in the Index to become the fifth best city brand globally. The city ranked first worldwide for its reputation, moving up from seventh in 2023, surpassing Sydney and London, which came in second and third. Additionally, Dubai improved significantly in local work opportunities and remote work, rising from 24th to 4th place.
The city has also been recognized as the second-best city of global importance, outpacing traditional leader London. Dubai’s strong economy, ranked second globally, is bolstered by its strategic role in international trade, excellent logistics infrastructure, and its advantageous location connecting the East and West. These factors make Dubai a prime choice for residents, businesses, and investors.
As a hub for innovation and start-ups, Dubai’s initiatives, like the Dubai Future Foundation, have contributed to its top ranking for future growth potential. The city also ranked third for attractive corporate taxation, reinforcing its status as a prime investment location.
Dubai has made significant advancements in creating a quality educational environment, achieving high rankings in the ‘Great Private Schools’ Index and the ‘Great Publicly Funded Schools’ Index, while excelling in areas like ‘Local and International Connectivity’ and ‘Ease of Visa Access.’
In the Middle East and North Africa, Dubai led across all key performance indicators, excelling in local and remote work preferences, investment opportunities, living standards, retirement options, education quality, and tourism appeal.
