Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and Bangkok among the world’s 20 most resilient cities
Global management consulting firm Kearney and the FII Institute have released the inaugural edition of the Global Cities Resilience Index, highlighting the world’s most resilient urban centres. Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, and Bangkok all feature among the global top 20.
The Global Cities Resilience Index measures how well cities can withstand and adapt to major changes and disruptions across business, technology, climate, and society. In total, 31 cities were assessed across five key dimensions: institutional governance, sustainable finance and business, technology and innovation, social and human capital, and global integration.
According to the index, London, Amsterdam, and New York are the world’s three most resilient cities.
London takes the top spot, leveraging its global connectivity and strong technological and social foundations – though economic collaboration remains a relative vulnerability. Amsterdam follows closely, distinguished by exceptional citizen engagement and robust human capital development, demonstrating how mid-sized cities can exert global influence.
New York ranks third, combining outstanding global integration with balanced governance, economic, and technological performance, though with room to strengthen its social cohesion.
Rounding out the top five are Dubai and Toronto. Dubai performs strongly in technological readiness and human capital development, despite comparatively weaker economic collaboration. Toronto stands out for its excellent governance and global engagement, underscoring the importance of stable institutions in fostering long-term resilience.
Asian leaders in resilience
Singapore ranks 8th globally and leads Asia in resilience, underpinned by its economic strength and pro-business environment. The city-state hosts numerous multinational corporations and benefits from an active government that supports enterprise growth through robust policy frameworks and programmes benefiting both large and small-to-medium-sized businesses.
Tokyo, ranked 14th, excels in livability through its systematic integration of high-density, mixed-use developments with pedestrian-friendly urban design. Notably, its Rail Integrated Communities model fosters safe, mixed-use neighbourhoods near transit hubs. Public–private partnerships encourage the inclusion of commercial facilities within urban parks, creating connected street networks that enhance both public transport and pedestrian mobility.
Beijing (15th) and Shanghai (16th) score highest in technology and innovation, reflecting their positions as global powerhouses of technological advancement.
Bangkok, ranked 20th, delivers a balanced performance across all dimensions, outperforming major emerging cities such as Istanbul, São Paulo, Mumbai, and Jakarta.
Urban resilience: a defining global challenge
With more than half of humanity now living in cities, Kearney and the FII Institute emphasised that urban resilience is becoming one of the defining challenges of our time.
“Cities are central to the global economy and drive prosperity in myriad ways. The capacity of any city to withstand shocks is something leaders and businesses must consider very carefully. This report helpfully identifies those cities with the potential to adapt and thrive amid unforeseen change,” said Richard Attias, Chairman of the FII Institute.
Bob Willen, Global Managing Partner and Chairman at Kearney, added: “The Global Cities Resilience Index addresses a critical gap by measuring not where cities stand today, but their systemic readiness to thrive tomorrow. This collaboration with the FII Institute provides a forward-looking tool that city leaders, investors, and citizens can use to build adaptive capacity.”
