Brand Finance has announced the 2024 Global Cities Ranking, and three Canadian cities have made it into the list of top cities worldwide. The ranking is based on the perceptions of over 15,000 people across 20 countries and evaluates cities on seven key factors: business and investment, livability, culture and heritage, people and values, sustainability and transport, governance, and education and science.
The 2024 Global Cities Ranking continues to place London, New York, and Paris in the top three positions, with Tokyo, Dubai, and Singapore in fourth, fifth, and sixth place, respectively. Among the top cities, three Canadian cities also stand out, despite some changes in rankings compared to the previous year.
Toronto: Canada’s Top City in the Global Ranking
Toronto remains Canada’s leading city in the global ranking, placing 14th overall, although it has dropped from 11th last year. While the city’s familiarity, reputation, and consideration have seen a decline, Toronto has made significant progress in the “people and values” category, rising 13 places to 9th globally in this area.
Notably, Toronto is now ranked 8th globally for friendliness and 14th for openness and welcoming nature. Although interest in retiring, investing, studying, and living in the city has decreased, there has been a slight increase in interest in visiting Toronto. The city still ranks highly in lifestyle, work, study, and living criteria.
Vancouver: Excellence in Livability, but Declining Reputation
Vancouver, representing Canada’s West Coast, is ranked 26th, down from 29th in 2023. The city stands out for its livability, ranking 8th globally, and is considered the best city in the world for pets. Vancouver also ranks 5th for cleanliness and environmental care.
However, Vancouver’s reputation has declined significantly, dropping from 23rd to 35th globally. Nevertheless, its livability is still highly rated, and interest in working, living, and studying in the city has increased. Vancouver also holds an impressive 6th place for interest in retiring in the city.
Montreal: Significant Drop in Ranking
Montreal, ranked 39th last year, experienced the biggest decline among Canadian cities, falling to 44th in the 2024 ranking. With low familiarity, Montreal is ranked 59th globally in this factor. However, it is still recognized as a friendly city, ranking 4th globally in this area.
Montreal’s reputation has also decreased, dropping from 31st to 40th, and its livability ranking has fallen to 23rd. Despite this, Montreal remains an attractive place for working, studying, and retiring, with growing interest in local work opportunities and visiting the city.
