London has claimed the top spot in Resonance’s World’s Best Cities report for the 10th year in a row. Kazinform News Agency explored the top-ranked cities and what makes them prime global destinations.

This annual evaluation assesses 100 global cities with populations exceeding one million, based on 24 factors categorized into three main pillars: livability, lovability, and prosperity.

London leads the rankings, followed by New York and Paris, which took second and third place, respectively. Tokyo (#4) and Singapore (#5) emerged as Asia’s strongest representatives, showcasing cutting-edge infrastructure and innovation. Rome (#6) and Madrid (#7) celebrated their blend of history and modernity, while Barcelona (#8) underscored Europe’s cultural vibrancy. Berlin (#9) and Sydney (#10) rounded out the top ten, representing Europe and Oceania.

London dominated in lovability (#1) and ranked #3 in livability, owing to its cultural assets and educational institutions. According to the report, “London’s resilient spirit and unmatched global appeal have solidified its place at the pinnacle of our annual ranking. It is the only city in this year’s ranking to capture the top spot in an impressive seven of our 28 subcategories, from Nightlife and Museums to Instagram Hashtags.”

New York, ranked first in prosperity, was lauded for its economic strength and cultural resurgence. “The Big Apple epitomizes urban recovery,” the report states, pointing to “a whirlwind of new shows, hotels, cultural spaces and transformative developments—backed by record real estate prices and an influx of both visitors and new residents.”

Paris stood out for its unmatched livability (#1), reflecting its cultural charm, booming start-up ecosystem, and robust economy. The report noted, “Too often in the Paris narrative, the city’s economic might gets forgotten. This is the place with the third-most Global Fortune 500 headquarters on the planet, and booming start-ups (ranking #10 in our Business Ecosystem subcategory).”

The rankings highlight key leaders across continents: London (#1) in Europe, Tokyo (#4) and Singapore (#5) in Asia, New York (#2) and Los Angeles (#14) in North America, Sydney (#10) in Oceania, Dubai (#13) in the Middle East, Cape Town (#85) in Africa, and São Paulo (#75) in South America.

Though the strengths across cities diversify. Berlin, for example, excelled in prosperity (#7) despite its relatively low livability score (#35). Dubai, ranked #13 overall, impressed with its economic vibrancy (#8 in prosperity), though it faced challenges in livability (#60).

Asian cities performed well, with Tokyo and Singapore excelling in innovation and infrastructure. Southern Europe made a strong showing, with Rome and Madrid placing in the top ten. Sydney stood out as Oceania’s sole top-10 city, recognized for its high livability and burgeoning opportunities.

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