Dubai named 5th best city in the world; ranked top in MENA and globally for reputation

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Dubai has been ranked the top city in the Middle East and Africa and fifth in the world in the “Global City Index 2024” report issued by Brand Finance.

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Dubai maintained the top position in the region for the second year in a row, performing exceptionally across all key performance indicators and categories, reaffirming the city’s economic leadership in the region.

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Dubai also rose to fifth place globally in the Index, which evaluated 100 cities. With a score of 86 out of 100, Dubai surpassed major global cities such as Singapore, Los Angeles, Sydney, San Francisco, and Amsterdam, which ranked sixth through tenth, respectively.

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Dubai climbs to 5th in Global City Index 2024

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, emphasised that Dubai’s remarkable success has been driven by the visionary leadership of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

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Guided by the strategic framework of Dubai Plan 2030, along with visionary economic and social agendas for the coming decade, the emirate is steadily advancing in global competitiveness rankings across sectors.

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These achievements demonstrate the city’s commitment to achieving its transformative goals for the next phase, he added.

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Sheikh Hamdan expressed his appreciation to all teams behind these achievements, highlighting their collaborative efforts in shaping Dubai’s success story. He noted that global accolades encourage the emirate’s teams to reinforce efforts to develop new strategic solutions to boost growth and excellence.

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Sheikh Hamdan said: “We value every effort that has helped secure Dubai’s position as the top city in the Middle East and North Africa for the second consecutive year. We also celebrate its rise into the ranks of the top five cities globally in a prominent international report that compares 100 leading city brands worldwide.

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“This report captures people’s perceptions of quality of life and their views on opportunities for work, investment, education, and retirement. Dubai ranks first globally as the most desired investment destination and leads in future growth expectations.

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“It is a city that shapes the future that people around the world aspire to.”

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Dubai has climbed four spots in the Index this year, now ranking as the world’s fifth best city brand.

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The city has advanced significantly, now ranked first in the world for reputation (up from seventh in 2023), with London and Sydney coming in second and third, respectively.

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Consideration for remote and local employment opportunities has also increased significantly in Dubai (up from 24th to 4th).

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Dubai is now the second-best city in the world, having overtaken a traditional heavyweight like London. Among the factors that support the reliability and robustness of its economy, which put it at second rank in the world, are the world-class logistics infrastructure, strategic hub for international trade, and strategic location that connecting the East to the West.

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Dubai is a desirable location for businesses, people, and international investors because of these factors.

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Dubai's efforts, including the Future Foundation, have made the city a center for innovation and start-ups, putting it in the lead for future development potential.

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Its status as a top investment destination is further cemented by its third-place ranking for advantageous corporation taxation, which places it as the top city for investment consideration.

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Dubai has made remarkable strides in creating a high-quality educational environment, achieving top rankings in the “Great Private Schools” Index, the “Great Publicly Funded Schools” Index, and excelling in “Local and International Connectivity” and “Ease to Get a Visa”.

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In the Middle East and North Africa, the city led across all key performance indicators and categories, excelling in factors such as preference for local and remote work, investment, living, retirement, education, and tourism.

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Andrew Campbell, Managing Director, Brand Finance Middle East, said: “Dubai’s rise to become the world’s fifth-best city brand is primarily driven by its achievement of ranking first globally for reputation.

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“This enhanced perception underscores the effectiveness of the UAE government’s strategic investments in infrastructure, tourism, and the business ecosystem.

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“The substantial improvements in Dubai’s consideration metrics further highlight the city’s increasing allure as a premier destination for visitors, residents, businesses, and global investors.” Abu Dhabi, on the other hand, is currently ranked 24th in the world, up eight spots from its previous position in 2023.

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Notably, the city is now ranked second in the world for investment consideration, up 12 spots from 2023, and ninth globally for remote work consideration, up 15 spots from 2023. In the Business and Investment category, Abu Dhabi comes in at a stellar fifth place, ranking second for potential future development and fourth for being a fantastic place for startups and innovations.

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Abu Dhabi also ranks an impressive fifth in the Business and Investment pillar, including fourth for being great for startups and innovations, and second for future growth potential.

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It has also gone up 16 ranks to 20th globally for being perceived as a leader in science and technology, further underscoring the city’s growing appeal as an innovation hub.

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Behind Abu Dhabi, Doha (69th) ranks 19th for attractive corporate taxation and 20th for attractive personal taxation.

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Riyadh continues its progress climbing four places to 75th globally with notable improvements in consideration to work, live and invest (all up seven places or more).

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In particular, it has climbed 37 places for famous sports teams and clubs, 24 places for great private schools and 20 places for great shopping, restaurants, and nightlife.

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