Hong Kong has achieved a remarkable ascent in the 2025 Global Cities Index, securing the seventh position. This improvement underscores the city's dynamic appeal, largely fueled by a surge in global tourism and a vibrant cultural landscape. Its placement amongst the world's leading urban centers highlights its growing influence and strategic importance in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
Hong Kong's Rise in Global Cities Index Fueled by Tourism and Arts
Hong Kong, a vibrant metropolis, has seen its standing elevate in Kearney's esteemed 2025 Global Cities Index (GCI). The latest report positions Hong Kong at an impressive seventh place, a notable improvement from its ninth-place rank in the preceding year, 2024. This significant upward movement is primarily a result of a substantial influx of international visitors and the city's exceptional performance across its visual and performing arts scenes. These factors collectively bolstered Hong Kong's evaluation in the 'cultural experience' category, a key metric of the GCI.
The Global Cities Index employs a comprehensive methodology, assessing urban centers worldwide across five critical domains: economic activity, human capital, exchange of information, cultural encounters, and civic participation. Hong Kong's enhanced performance in cultural offerings and increased international connectivity evidently resonated strongly within these evaluation criteria. Its current seventh-place global ranking places it firmly among the elite, joining four other major Asia-Pacific cities in the top ten: Tokyo, holding the fourth spot; Singapore, ranked fifth; Beijing, at sixth; and Shanghai, securing the eighth position. This collective representation of Asian cities within the leading global urban centers underscores the region's increasing prominence and influence on the international stage.
The advancement of Hong Kong in the Global Cities Index offers a compelling narrative about the city's resilience and adaptability. It demonstrates that strategic investments in cultural infrastructure and efforts to enhance global accessibility can significantly boost a city's international standing. This achievement serves as an inspiring example for other urban areas aiming to elevate their global profiles, emphasizing the interconnectedness of tourism, cultural vibrancy, and overall global competitiveness.