Global City - Definition & Criteria

GLOBAL POPULATION & MOBILITY **GLOBAL CITY** A **global city**[^\[a\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-1) is a [city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City) that serves as a primary node in the [global economic network.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_economy) The concept or...

GLOBAL POPULATION & MOBILITY **GLOBAL CITY** A **global city**[^\[a\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-1) is a [city](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/City) that serves as a primary node in the [global economic network.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_economy) The concept originates from [geography](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography) and [urban studies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Index_of_urban_studies_articles), based on the thesis that [globalization](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Globalization) has created a hierarchy of strategic [geographic locations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_(geography)) with varying degrees of influence over [finance](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finance), [trade](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade), and [culture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture) worldwide.[^\[1\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-2) The global city represents the most complex and significant hub within the international system, characterized by links binding it to other cities that have direct, tangible effects on global [socioeconomic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socioeconomics) affairs.[^\[2\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Sass1-3) The criteria of a global city vary depending on the source.[^\[3\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-4) Common features include a high degree of [urban development](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_planning), a large population, the presence of major [multinational companies](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporation), a significant and globalized [financial sector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_services), a well-developed and internationally linked [transportation infrastructure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_infrastructure), local or national economic dominance, high quality educational and [research institutions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_institutions), and a globally influential output of ideas, innovations, or cultural products. Quintessential examples, based on most indices and research, include [New York City](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City), [London](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London), [Paris](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris), and [Tokyo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo). **Origin and terminology** The term \'global city\' was popularized by [sociologist](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sociologist) [Saskia Sassen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saskia_Sassen) in her 1991 book, *The Global City: New York, London, Tokyo*.[^\[4\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-5) Before then, other terms were used for urban centers with roughly the same features. The term \'world city\', meaning a city heavily involved in global trade, appeared in a May 1886 description of [Liverpool](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liverpool), by [*The Illustrated London News*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Illustrated_London_News);[^\[5\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-6) British sociologist and [geographer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geographer) [Patrick Geddes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Geddes) used the term in 1915.[^\[6\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Doel_and_Hubbard-7) The term \'[megacity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megacity)\' entered common use in the late 19th or early 20th century, the earliest known example being a publication by the [University of Texas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Texas) in 1904.[^\[7\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-8) In the 21st century, the terms are usually focused on a city\'s [financial power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_center) and [high technology](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-technology) infrastructure.^[\[8\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-9)[\[9\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-10)^ **Criteria** Competing groups have devised competing means to classify and rank world cities and to distinguish them from other cities.[^\[6\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Doel_and_Hubbard-7) Although there is a consensus on the leading world cities,[^\[11\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-GaWC_5-12) the chosen criteria affect which other cities are included.[^\[6\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Doel_and_Hubbard-7) Selection criteria may be based on a yardstick value (e.g., if the producer-service sector is the largest sector then city *X* is a world city)[^\[6\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Doel_and_Hubbard-7) or on an imminent determination (if the producer-service sector of city *X* is greater than the combined producer-service sectors of *N* other cities then city *X* is a world city.)[^\[6\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-Doel_and_Hubbard-7) Although criteria are variable and fluid, typical characteristics of world cities include:[^\[12\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-13) - The most prominent criterion has been providing a variety of [international financial services](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Financial_center),[^\[13\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-14) notably in [finance, insurance, real estate](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_economy), [banking](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banking), [accountancy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accountancy), and [marketing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marketing); and their amalgamation of financial headquarters, a [stock exchange](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_exchange), and other major financial institutions, - [Headquarters](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headquarters) of numerous [multinational corporations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multinational_corporations), - Domination of the trade and economy of a large surrounding area, - Major manufacturing centers with [port](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port) and [container](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shipping_container) facilities, - Considerable [decision-making power](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_(international_relations)) daily and at a global level, - Centers of new ideas and [innovation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Innovation) in business, economics, and culture, - Centers of [digital](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_media) and other media and communications for [global networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_networks), - The dominance of the national region with great international significance, - The high percentage of residents employed in the [services sector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Services_sector) and [information sector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternary_sector_of_the_economy), - High-quality educational institutions, including renowned universities and [research](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research) facilities; and attracting international student attendance,[^\[14\]^](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city#cite_note-15) - Multi-functional [infrastructure](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infrastructure) offering some of the best legal, medical, and entertainment facilities in the country, - High diversity in language, culture, religion, and ideologies. **THE TOP 10 CITIES IN THE WORLD, AS RANKED BY OXFORD ECONOMICS' NEW GLOBAL CITIES INDEX** \[23 May 2024\] Cities are the heart of human civilisation, where innovation, diversity and progress converge. However, the intricacies of urban dynamics often cloud our understanding of what truly defines the success of a city. Oxford Economics' new Global Cities Index is designed to address this challenge. Covering the 1,000 largest cities in the world, our Global Cities Index evaluates urban economies on a wide range of metrics covering five broad categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance, providing a nuanced understanding of each city's strengths and weaknesses. **The top 10 cities of 2024** The top cities in the Global Cities Index possess strong scores in all five categories. Not only do they provide important economic contributions to the global economy, they are hubs for education and business innovation, and invest in the infrastructure necessary to maintain a high quality of life. They also prioritise policies that focus on the environment and good governance. Leading the rankings in 2024 is New York, followed by London. Both cities perform best in the Economics and Human Capital categories, unsurprising given their roles as global hubs for finance, business, and education. New York has the largest metro economy in the world, and London has the fourth largest. Similarly, both cities have among the most universities and corporate headquarter offices, again emphasising their global relevance in the worlds of business and education. As highlighted by their scores, the two powerhouses on either side of the Atlantic are very much neck and neck.  The remainder of the top five---San Jose, Tokyo, and Paris---aren't often regarded as particularly alike, but they share characteristics that drive their success in the index. All three have top Economics scores, albeit for varying reasons. San Jose's Economics score is boosted by the city having the highest levels of GDP per capita in the world, by far. Tokyo has much lower levels of GDP in per person terms, but in absolute terms, its economy is the second largest in the world. Paris splits the difference, with a higher total GDP than San Jose, and a higher GDP per capita than Tokyo. They also perform well in the Human Capital category. For instance, Tokyo and Paris are both home to a multitude of universities and corporate headquarters. And as the home of Silicon Valley, San Jose also hosts many headquarters, but its strength in this category comes from having one of the largest shares of foreign-born residents in the world. Top Quality of Life scores also propel San Jose and Paris up the rankings, with Paris in particular benefitting from a plethora of world-renowned cultural sites. Rounding out the top 10 are Seattle, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Melbourne, and Zurich. For the three US cities, their scores are primarily driven by their outsized economic influence. All three have healthy tech sectors that drive GDP growth, although Seattle and Los Angeles also receive significant contributions from their aerospace manufacturing industries. While Melbourne and Zurich have high Economics scores in a global context, they trail the others in the top 10 in this category. Instead, their scores are driven by strong results in the other categories. Melbourne's ranking comes in part from its top Environment score. The city benefits from good air quality, low carbon emissions intensity, and a less volatile climate. Zurich's performance, on the other hand, is thanks to the city having the best Quality of Life score of any city in the overall top 10. Incomes and life expectancy are high, and the city's location---nestled between the Alps and Lake Zurich---offers a wide range of recreational activities. Both Melbourne and Zurich also have the best Governance scores of the overall top 10, driven by the strong institutions and political stability of Australia and Switzerland.