London has emerged as the world’s most reputable city in the 2024 Brand Finance City Index, scoring 90.9 and leading a top-tier list that includes New York (89.9), Paris (87.8), Tokyo (86.8), and Dubai (86.0). The ranking, based on responses from over 15,000 people across 20 countries, reflects how cities are increasingly evaluated as brands—attracting talent, investment, and tourism.
Dubai’s rise is particularly notable, with a 2.1-point year-on-year increase—the highest among the top 40 cities. The Gulf city added $6.6 billion in brand value, driven by its ambitious infrastructure projects and global events like Expo 2020. Unlike legacy cities with centuries-old reputations, Dubai’s brand has been rapidly built through strategic development, including the Burj Khalifa and the Jebel Ali Port Free Zone, which has attracted over $30 billion in FDI and supports more than 1 million jobs.
As a gateway to opportunity, Dubai’s business-friendly policies, world-class logistics, and diverse talent pool position it as a rising global hub. The city’s reputation is no longer just regional—it’s international, built on ambition, connectivity, and trade dominance.
With city brands now shaping global influence, the index underscores how urban identity is becoming a key driver of economic and cultural relevance.
