EUROPE'S MOST DYNAMIC AND SUSTAINABLE CITIES: THE LATEST RANKING REVEALED

BARCELONA, SPAIN • London, Paris, and Berlin continue to dominate as top contenders among the world's most dynamic and livable cities. According to the IESE Cities in Motion (CIMI) Index, these urban centers, alongside Copenhagen and Oslo, consistently rank high due to their robust human capital, strong governance, and advanced infrastructure.

Barcelona, Spain, April 25, 2025 – 5:31 PM CEST – London, Paris, Berlin, Copenhagen, and Oslo are the five European cities that made it into the top 10 of the world's most dynamic and livable cities, according to the IESE Cities in Motion (CIMI) Index.

The CIMI 2025 ranking assessed 183 cities across 92 countries based on nine key criteria: human capital, social cohesion, economy, governance, environment, mobility and transportation, urban planning, international profile, and technology.

For the third consecutive year, London continues to lead regionally and globally in the ranking. It stands out in areas such as human capital, governance, urban planning, and international profile. The UK capital is recognized for its internationally renowned universities and rich array of cultural institutions, institutional stability, high-quality public transport systems, and a strong commitment to sustainable mobility, including shared bicycles and e-scooters. However, it faces challenges in terms of social cohesion and environment. Notably, Edinburgh and Glasgow surpass London in their commitment to cultural and social inclusion.

Meanwhile, Paris maintains its second place in Western Europe and third globally. It achieves its best results in terms of international influence, strong human capital, and effective urban planning. Nevertheless, areas such as environmental sustainability and social cohesion offer opportunities for improvement.

Berlin retains its positions from the previous edition: third in Western Europe and fifth globally. The German capital is recognized for its governance and technology but has significant room for improvement in its economic performance.

It's clear how well European cities perform in this index edition after edition. "There isn't just one reason behind Europe's success, but there are patterns," state Pascual Berrone, head of the strategic management department at IESE Business School, and Joan Enric Ricart, professor of strategic management at IESE Business School. "They generally have stable political systems and reasonable urban planning, along with advanced public and private transport options."