Archive · 11 Oct 2026
New York Tops 2026 Global Cities Index; Tokyo Leads Asia
Oxford Economics compared 1,000 cities around the world in its 2026 index.
New York came first again, with London second and Paris third.
Tokyo was the highest-ranked city in Asia, at ninth place.
The index looked at cities’ economies, people and education, quality of life, environment and governance.
New York scored especially well for its economy.
Tokyo did well for its skilled workers and educational institutions, but scored poorly for its environment category.
The article says earthquakes, typhoons and other natural hazards affect that score.
Some cities also face challenges such as expensive housing, inequality or flooding.
New York retained first place in Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index, followed by London and Paris.
Tokyo ranked ninth overall, making it Asia’s highest-placed city.
The index assessed 1,000 cities across economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
Seattle ranked fourth, San Francisco fifth and San Jose eighth; San Jose had the index’s highest GDP per person.
Tokyo ranked third for human capital but 454th for environment, with natural hazards weighing on its score.
- Who
- Oxford Economics ranked 1,000 cities in its Global Cities Index 2026.
- What
- New York retained first place; Tokyo was Asia’s highest-ranked city, in ninth place.
- When
- The index is for 2026; the cited metropolitan GDP and GDP-per-person figures are estimates for 2025.
- Where
- Cities around the world, including New York, London, Paris and Tokyo.
- Why
- The index compares cities across economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.
- Index publisher
- Oxford Economics
- Cities assessed
- 1,000
- Top three
- New York, London, Paris
- Highest-ranked Asian city
- Tokyo, ninth overall
- New York metropolitan economy
- $2.6 trillion in 2025
- Highest GDP per person
- San Jose, estimated at $238,700 in 2025
- Index weights
- Economics 30%; Human Capital and Quality of Life 25% each; Environment and Governance 10% each
- Governance scoring
- Assessed at the national level, giving cities in the same country the same ranking