SINGAPORE, 21 October 2025 — Asia Pacific (APAC) cities continue to demonstrate global strength and adaptability, according to Kearney’s 2025 Global Cities Report. Despite mounting geopolitical and economic headwinds, regional hubs such as Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai have maintained top-ten rankings in Kearney’s Global Cities Index (GCI), reaffirming APAC’s rising influence in the global urban hierarchy.
The GCI evaluates 156 cities across five dimensions, business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement, measuring each city’s ability to attract, retain, and generate global flows of people, capital, and ideas.
Tokyo held its fourth-place ranking for the 11th year, while Singapore remained fifth, supported by gains in political engagement and human capital. Hong Kong rose from ninth to seventh, driven by a rebound in international travel and cultural vibrancy, while Beijing and Shanghai also stayed within the top ten.
Globally, New York, London, and Paris retained the top three positions, followed by Tokyo, Singapore, Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
“This year’s Index highlights the resilience of Asia’s legacy hubs. Despite global uncertainty, APAC cities continue to lead through digital infrastructure, regulatory innovation, and climate resilience,” said Shigeru Sekinada, Region Chair of Asia Pacific and Managing Director of Japan, Kearney.
Emerging Hubs Gain Momentum
Beyond the established centres, emerging Asian cities are accelerating. Taipei and Kuala Lumpur rose sharply in business activity, while Jakarta recorded strong gains in human capital — reflecting progress in institutional capacity and infrastructure. Shenyang, Osaka, Taipei, and Mumbai also improved in information exchange, driven by expanding digital networks and service-sector growth.
Complementing the GCI, Kearney’s Global Cities Outlook (GCO) assesses how cities are preparing for future competitiveness across four dimensions: personal well-being, economics, innovation, and governance.
This year, Singapore vaulted from 20th to third place, returning to the top five for the first time in five years, thanks to robust infrastructure, rising GDP per capita, and strong foreign investment. Seoul climbed from fifth to second, while Taipei and Jakarta also advanced, signalling a broader redistribution of opportunity across Asia.
Defining Competitiveness in the Intelligence Age
Kearney concludes that future competitiveness will hinge on three interlinked factors: expanding energy capacity, embedding livability and resilience into growth, and cultivating talent for artificial intelligence (AI).
“Cities are now at the frontline of the intelligence age,” said Sekinada. “Those that align energy security, renewable investment, and talent development will define the next era of global competitiveness.”
The top 10 cities in the 2025 Global Cities Index:
- New York
- London
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Singapore
- Beijing
- Hong Kong
- Shanghai
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
