Cities

Ireland’s capital, Dublin, is set to remain the most economically flourishing city, generating the highest share of Ireland’s GDP and recording the lowest unemployment rate. Dublin will also remain the most attractive consumer market, owing to its…

Rapid urbanisation and population increase in Iran is creating challenges for the development of Iranian cities, which could face shortages of affordable housing, elevated pollution and water scarcity. Although the capital, Tehran, remains the main…

Chile is set to continue to urbanise, raising numerous sustainability and socioeconomic issues in major cities. Santiago is to remain the largest city in the country in terms of population size, given intense immigration from neighbouring regional…

Zurich and Basel are the most economically vibrant Swiss cities. Zurich benefits from a well-developed financial sector, while life sciences contribute to Basel’s economic performance. Although Geneva is struggling with high unemployment, driven by…

Yangon is expected to lead Myanmar’s population and economic growth over 2021-2025, as the city experiences relatively high net migration and rapid urbanisation. Mandalay is set to lead in digitalisation and per capita consumer expenditure. Foreign…

The capital Dhaka benefits from the largest numbers of affluent consumers and a larger middle class in 2020, while the export-orientated Chittagong will exploit its attractiveness to families. While digitalisation remains suppressed in Bangladesh,…

Milan and Rome are Italy’s most economically vibrant cities. Milan is driven by high value-added industries, like finance, fashion and retail, while Rome benefits from its concentration of administrative services. Italian cities, however, face…

Luanda is Angola’s main economic hub, benefiting from a wide diversity of value-added businesses and accounting for nearly half of the country’s total consumer market. However, poverty remains a widespread issue among all the largest cities. With…

Amsterdam – the most economically vibrant city in the Netherlands – is also set to be the most innovative city in terms of sustainability, following the adoption of a circular economy strategy. Over 2021-2025, Utrecht and Amsterdam are expected to be…

Munich and Berlin are expected to remain the most economically vibrant cities in Germany. Booming creative industries in Berlin are expected to draw more young people, while Munich hopes to attract skilled workers in high value-added tech and…

Austrian cities remain home to a wealthy, productive and educated workforce. Hosting nearly one third of the country’s total population, the capital Vienna is to remain the largest city in Austria. Vienna will also maintain the largest consumer…

Populations in Guayaquil and Quito are set to continue expanding driven by high birth rates and booming worker migration. Despite increasing attention to free economic zone developments, low-value-added sectors will continue dominating Ecuador’s…

Karachi is set to remain the most dynamic city in Pakistan over 2021-2025, thanks to a rapidly rising population, a high concentration of manufacturing companies and significant investment in port infrastructure. However, Karachi suffers from a…

Casablanca and Rabat showed the highest net migration rates in 2020, and will remain the most populous cities in Morocco by 2025. Robust population growth in Casablanca is driving urban development, along with implementation of the Smart City…

Wellington and Auckland are New Zealand’s most economically vibrant cities. A highly skilled workforce and favourable business environment in Auckland continue to attract foreign investment, contributing to the growth of the digital services industry…

Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi hold Vietnam’s largest economic potential, thanks to large population pools, developed labour markets and increasing investment in the megacities. Nevertheless, the country’s smaller cities such as Da Nang also offer…

Lima will remain the largest consumer market in Peru by 2025, given its expanding population and accommodating business environment, attracting investments. High population density in the capital and major coastal cities, however, threatens with…

Over the period to 2025, Budapest – the country’s economic, financial and political hub – is set to remain the dominant consumer market. A large population, a strong labour market as well as a flourishing economy will keep Budapest as the most…

Buenos Aires will remain the largest city in Argentina, dominating consumer market growth through to 2025. Robust urbanisation is set to continue posing severe socioeconomic issues, including lack of infrastructure, poor access to water, electricity…

Bangkok and Phuket are set to remain the leading cities in Thailand, thanks to large population pools and relatively high incomes. The strengthening middle class will create market opportunities for expanding goods and services sales in urban areas,…