- New York City and London are the top two most influential cities in the world, according to management consultancy firm A. T. Kearny’s annual Global Cities Index Results.
- The 21 cities below were ranked based off of areas including business activity, culture, human capital, political engagement, and information exchange.
- The scores from each category were added together to create the ranking.
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Not all major cities are created equal, with some places around the world holding more influence over global business, culture, and politics than others. But what are the world’s most influential cities?
That’s a question that management consultancy firm A.T. Kearney tries to answer with its annual Global Cities Report. The report looks at which global cities “are improving in their competitiveness and what factors are driving that success.”
It examines dozens of variables, which are then subdivided into categories: business activity, culture, human capital, political engagement, and information exchange. Scores in these categories are then added together to create a ranking.
New York and London top the list, with both cities miles ahead of their nearest rivals. The top 21 are spread around the world, though Europe dominates the list. Notably, the top five cities on the list have maintained their exact rankings from 2018.
Check out the world's most influential cities below.
21. Boston, Massachusetts
According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, Boston improved in both economics and innovation since last year. The New England city rose three spots in the rankings.
20. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The Dutch economy was anticipated to grow 2.6% over the course of 2019; Amsterdam moved up two spots in the rankings since 2018.
19. Shanghai, China
Home to the Chinese mainland's main financial center, Shanghai is also the world's busiest container port, making it a global hub for all kinds of trade.
18. Moscow, Russia
This capital sits in the largest country in the world. It continues to increase its global footprint and has the world's most university-sponsored incubators, according to the 2019 Global Cities Index.
17. Toronto, Canada
It may not be as well known as its American neighbors, but Toronto is a globally important city and has North America's third-largest stock exchange by market capitalization.
16. Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne was ranked as the top place for international students by the 2019 Global Cities Index and continues to lead in environmental performance.
15. Madrid, Spain
A major hub for commerce in the Spanish-speaking world, Madrid is Spain's second-largest industrial center. The city scored highly in the business-activity category in the 2019 Global Cities Index.
14. Berlin, Germany
Berlin still proves to be one of the most influential cities in the world and houses one of the oldest stock exchanges in Germany.
13. Seoul, South Korea
South Korea's capital continues to hold global importance. It is a major commerce hub and home to major brands, including Samsung.
12. Brussels, Belgium
Politics and bureaucracy dominate the agenda in Belgium's capital, the home of the European Union. Relatively small compared to many major cities, it punches well above its weight thanks to the EU.
11. Sydney, Australia
According to the rankings, Sydney is the most important city in the southern hemisphere. It is also considered one of the most livable cities in the world.
10. Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. is home to the United States' most important political institutions. In addition to American institutions like the White House and the Capitol, the city hosts international institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
9. Beijing, China
The capital and political hub of the world's second-largest economy is understandably influential. It is also home to more companies in the Global Fortune 500 than any other city.
8. Chicago, Illinois
Trading defines Chicago's importance as a major international city, with two of the biggest commodity exchanges based there. Agricultural products like wheat, corn, and pork are among the products that are traded on the city's mercantile exchanges.
7. Los Angeles, California
Home to Hollywood, Los Angeles means showbiz, with movie studios, TV stations, and more. Its West Coast location also makes it a key hub for trade with Asia.
6. Singapore
Singapore's container port is one of the world's largest. It is also a major hub for the oil industry.
5. Hong Kong
Formerly controlled by Britain, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. It is one of Asia's biggest financial centers.
4. Tokyo, Japan
In 2018, Bloomberg ranked Japan's sprawling capital the largest city in the world with 37 million people in its metropolitan area.
3. Paris, France
France's capital is known for its art, architecture, and fashion. According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, it has the most think tanks in the world.
2. London, UK
Brexit is likely to marginally diminish London's role as a global center, but for now, it remains the world's second-most-influential city. Home to Europe's financial hub in the city, London is tops the rankings when it comes to transparency. Its ranking remains unchanged from 2018.
1. New York City, New York
It's no surprise that New York City, home of Wall Street and the United Nations, is viewed as the world's most important city. The city has maintained its top spot for the second year in a row.
