What we Dubai residents have always known has been confirmed by a recent study – our city is one of the leading places to live! The annual World’s Best Cities rankings by Resonance Consultancy recently declared Dubai the 8th best city to live, work and invest in for 2025. With world-class food, outdoor experiences, family-friendly activities and incredible hotels, why wouldn’t it?
Dubai beat other global metropolises like Los Angeles, Seoul and Sydney to secure its spot in the top 10. London remains in first place, a spot they’ve held 11 years in a row. This report of 100 top cities is based on an assessment of leading metropolitan areas with a population of more than one million.
Dubai goes up 5 places on the World’s Best Cities list
Voted the 13th best city in 2025, Dubai has gown up the rankings ladder. “No other city matches Dubai’s audacious ambitions and relentless growth,” it states, asserting Dubai is still a desirable place to work and live.
These bold words are based on the moves DXB has made this year with being ranked the world’s busiest airport. One Za’abeel’s skybridge, The Link – the world’s longest cantilevered structure – along with its restaurants by the world’s best chefs get a shoutout. It’s this penchant for building the largest, tallest, and most off-the-wall structures that has won Dubai a solid #6 ranking within the report’s Prosperity categories; #9 in the Lovability category; and #17 in the Livability rank.
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Meanwhile, the report also highlights the 2040 Urban Masterplan that will transform DXB into an accessible city where 80% of a resident’s needs and destinations are within 20 minutes by foot or bike. Al Barsha 2 is the first “20-minute city” model district, and the Metro Blue Line should be open by late 2029.
The World Best Cities measures each city’s performance based on 31 different categories such as walkability, outdoor green spaces, nightlife, restaurants, posts on Instagram, GDP per capita, etc. Dubai bagged #2 spot as the city with most Facebook check-ins. We’re also in second place for Labour Force Participation.
Other Middle Eastern cities included in the World’s 100 Best Cities
Riyadh ranked #49 with a #3 in Nature & Parks. Abu Dhabi scored the #86 ranking this year with #12 in Standard of Living. Doha, the capital of Qatar ranked at #100 this year.
Here’s a list of the Top 10 World’s Best Cities:
- London
- New York
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Madrid
- Singapore
- Rome
- Dubai
- Berlin
- Barcelona
For the full list of 100 World’s Best Cities, click here.