New York named world’s top city in 2026 Global Cities Index

New York has been named the best city in the world for 2026 according to the Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics. The metropolis achieved a perfect score of 100, driven by economic strength, labor market dynamism, and its ability to concentrate talent and investment. London and Paris followed in second and third place, respectively.

In a separate assessment, the World Economic Forum’s Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026 ranks Japan as the top economy for tourism development, followed by the United States and Spain. The index evaluates 110 economies based on infrastructure, sustainability, and policy readiness to support long-term growth.

While North American cities lead in economic competitiveness and investment attraction, European cities tend to score higher in categories related to quality of life, environment, and governance.