Ranked: The World’s Most Powerful Cities

These are the global destinations that continue to attract people, capital, and enterprises from around the world. 

Whether you’re investing, relocating, or simply keeping an eye on the global balance of power, it pays to know which cities are setting the pace.

London has once again been named the most powerful city in the world in the Global Power City Index (GPCI), an annual ranking published by the Mori Memorial Foundation. The index ranks cities based on their overall ‘magnetism’, defined as their ability to attract people, capital, and enterprises from around the world.

To determine the most powerful cities in the world, researchers analysed 72 indicators across six categories: economy, research and development, cultural interaction, liveability, environment, and accessibility. The report aims to provide a detailed snapshot of how cities are performing year on year, not just in headline economic terms, but in the important, everyday realities that shape people’s lives. 

While the data is important for urban policy, it is also just as relevant for investors, businesses, and globally mobile travelers looking to understand where influence is growing, and where it may be slipping. 

The most powerful cities in the world

London

Despite losing ground year on year, London held onto the top spot for a 14th consecutive year, with an overall score of 1,642.2 out of 2,700.

The city ranked first in cultural interaction, driven by its wealth of museums, theatres, nightlife, hotels, and restaurants. It also continued to perform strongly in economy, accessibility, and research and development, reinforcing its role as a global financial and cultural hub.

However, London’s scores in liveability and environment declined sharply, reflecting ongoing pressure from rising costs and sustainability challenges, factors increasingly shaping how cities are judged.

Tokyo

After nine years in third place, Tokyo climbed to become the second most powerful city in the world. The rise was driven by a substantial increase in its total score for a second consecutive year, despite a slight decline in its economic ranking.

Tokyo ranked first in livability, underlining its strengths in safety, healthcare, and quality of life. It also reached second place in cultural interaction, with nightlife ranked number one globally — a sign of the city’s growing appeal beyond business and technology.

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New York

New York recorded the steepest score decline of any city in the 2025 index, dropping from second to third place as soaring living costs weighed heavily on its livability score.

Even so, the city remains dominant economically. New York held number one rankings in stock market capitalization and research expenditure, firmly maintaining the top position in both the economy and research and development categories.

Paris

Paris remained in fourth place, supported by consistently strong performance in accessibility and cultural interaction. Its transport infrastructure and cultural institutions continue to underpin its global standing, although rising costs and environmental pressures limit further gains.

Singapore

Rounding out the top five, Singapore continued to score highly for its economic stability, efficiency, and environmental performance. Its tightly managed infrastructure and pro-business environment keep it competitive, even as other Asian cities gain momentum.