Gulf Cities Rise in Global Rankings, Advancing in Liveability, Innovation, and Infrastructure Investment
Dubai has emerged as the leading city in the Middle East and North Africa region, ranking among the top 25 cities in the Global Cities Index by Kearney for 2025. The emirate has maintained its prominent status, moving up to the 23rd position globally, further solidifying its role as a hub for finance, business, and culture.
A report from Kearney on global cities in 2025 highlights the growing prominence of Gulf cities as emerging global centers, fueled by investments in infrastructure, digital readiness, and human capital. While traditional cities continue to hold the top rankings globally, leading cities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have shown significant annual growth rates according to the index, emphasizing their vital role in shaping the global economy.
Rudolf Lohmer, a senior partner at the Global Business Policy Council, and head of the National Institute for Transformations, noted, “What stands out in the results of the 2025 report is not just the names of the cities that have risen or fallen in the rankings, but the reasons behind these assessments. The status of cities is no longer based solely on historical precedence or extensive scope; competitiveness now relates to how effectively cities develop talent, establish trust in digital systems, and create environments conducive to living and evolving with changes.”
The progress of Gulf cities serves as a prime example of how these factors can enhance their global standing in just a few years.
The Global Cities Index evaluates 158 cities based on five dimensions: business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement.
It utilizes 31 indicators to measure a city’s potential for attracting and retaining individuals and capital globally, as well as for encouraging and harnessing innovative ideas.
This year’s report showed that traditional global centers retained the top five spots, which are New York, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Singapore. However, it also pointed to a growing diversity in global connectivity, with cities like Almaty, Taipei, and Rio de Janeiro showing notable improvements.
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In the Gulf region, Dubai climbed to the 23rd position globally, reinforcing its status as a financial and cultural center. Riyadh moved up eight places to rank 56, reflecting a robust economic activity and connectivity, driven by ambitious transformation programs, while Manama jumped ten positions to reach 125th.
The results underscore the success of Gulf cities in leveraging investment as a means to attract talent. Additionally, there has been an expansion of investments in the logistics and infrastructure sectors, contributing to their closer alignment with traditional leading cities worldwide.
The 2025 report indicates significant shifts in the global system, with Munich rising to first place, surpassing San Francisco, and both Seoul and Singapore entering the top five, showcasing the growing importance of Asian innovation centers.
The findings were notably positive for Gulf cities, as Dubai, Riyadh, Dammam, Mecca, Medina, Doha, and Manama experienced stable growth, driven by ongoing investments in infrastructure, innovation, and livability.
Collectively, these cities highlight the increasing influence of the region in shaping the cities of the future.
With systematic reforms and forward-looking strategies, Gulf cities are confidently moving towards enhancing their resilience in response to changes and reinforcing their active role in defining the next phase of global leadership.
