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New York leads global cities list for 2026

The 2026 Global Cities Index from Oxford Economics ranks New York as the top city in the world.

Top ten rankings revealed

London and Paris follow New York in the second and third positions. Seattle, San Francisco, Dublin, Boston, San Jose, Tokyo, and Zurich complete the top ten list. The index evaluates one thousand cities across five specific measures including governance and economics.

Human capital drives success

Leading cities score strongly in human capital which captures skills and education levels. This influx of talent reshapes neighborhoods and culture for both locals and visitors. Boston ranked seventh partly because it scored highly in this specific category.

Quality of life matters

The report states that compelling places to live go beyond economic clout or architecture. Diversity of populations helps explain why some cities remain attractive destinations for travel. The index highlights four qualities that stand out among the leaders.

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