The World’s Best City has been revealed. The winner is…
The 2026 World’s Best Cities Report has been released, showing the top 100 cities in the world. The report scored global cities for their liveability, taking into account public green spaces, public transport and clean air; lovability, which includes culture, nightlife and social media engagement; and prosperity, highlighting economic strength, educational attainment and air connectivity.
The report, presented by Resonance and Ipsos, was launched at WTM London during a press conference conducted by Chris Fair, Resonance President and CEO, and creator of World’s Best Cities.
London has been ranked the World’s Best City for the 11th year in new research supported by Ipsos. It combines global user-generated data, core statistical performance, and new proprietary research – including a landmark Ipsos survey of more than 21,000 respondents across 30 countries – to create the world’s most comprehensive cities ranking.
London scored first for prosperity, second for lovability and third for liveability.
New York came second in the report and Paris third. Overall, the United States had the most cities in the 2026 Top 100 with 19, followed by Germany with eight and China with seven.
New York was helped to second place by its ongoing investment in its cultural economy, massive urban infrastructure projects, and the continued global infatuation with the city, despite the US political shift from globalisation affecting ‘brand perceptions’.
Third placed Paris is meanwhile noted to be thriving as a future-focused city with an historic backdrop. Last on the list at 100th place is host of the 2022 World Cup, Doha, in tiny Qatar welcomed 5 million visitors and is still being constructed.
The Top 10 World’s Best Cities for 2026 are:
1. London
2. New York
3. Paris
4. Tokyo
5. Madrid
6. Singapore
7. Rome
8. Dubai
9. Berlin
10. Barcelona
The report also highlights issues currently affecting cities. These include the climate effects of extreme heat, urban wildfires and water shortages and the need for energy transition.
The uneven post-covid rebound of international demand was another challenge as were, for some countries, shifting global perceptions.
Chris Fair, President & CEO of Resonance Consultancy said: “For leaders shaping tomorrow’s urban landscape – whether through capital allocation, location strategy, infrastructure development, or destination marketing – this report offers more than rankings.
“It provides strategic intelligence, risk assessment, and a roadmap to the cities and opportunities defining the next decade of global growth.”
The full 2026 World’s Best Cities report is available here.
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