The annual Oxford Global Cities Index gives a fascinating look at the performance of the world’s largest metropolises. This year’s survey, issued in May 2024, assessed around 1,000 cities across 163 countries, evaluating them based on five main categories:
- Economics: Measure a city’s economic strength and competitiveness.
- Human Capital: Evaluates the schooling and skill set of the city’s workforce.
- Quality of Life: Determines components such as healthcare, safety, and people’s general well-being.
- Environment: Evaluates the city’s environmental sustainability and pollution rates.
- Governance: assesses the efficacy and transparency of the city government.
India’s top contender: Delhi takes the lead.
Among Indian cities, Delhi emerged as the preceding, ranking 350th globally. This ranking shows Delhi’s relative strengths in:
- Human Capital: Delhi scored an outstanding 55th place in this area, demonstrating its talented workforce.
- Economics: Delhi’s financial strength is shown by its 108th ranking in the Economics category.
Beyond the Top Spot: A Look at Other Indian Cities
While Delhi secured the top place, additional significant Indian cities took part in the rankings:
- Bengaluru (IT city): Bengaluru, India’s famous IT city, was close behind at 411th.
- Mumbai (India’s financial hub): Mumbai, the financial capital of India, came in at 427th position.
However, it is important to note that several Indian towns encountered challenges in each of the following categories:
Quality of Life: Some Indian towns, such as Thrissur, ranked well (757th), whereas others, such as Mumbai (915th), fell short.
Environment: The primary concern for Indian cities was their environmental performance. Delhi, for instance, ranks 973rd in this area.
TOP 10 CITIES BY OVERALL SCORE
A Ranking with Nuance: War and Methodology
It is important to note that the ranking process could affect the final results. War-torn cities, such as Kyiv, Ukraine, had a higher ranking (311th) than other Indian cities due to the index’s emphasis on specific factors.
Understanding the Rankings: A Call for Improvement
The Oxford Global Cities Index gives helpful data about a city’s overall health and competitiveness. For Indian cities, the rankings provide an opportunity to highlight areas of strength and advancement. Indian cities may get to the top of the world’s rankings by focusing on environmental sustainability, increasing quality of life, and creating a skilled labor force.
READ More: Celebrating Unity in Diversity: A Look at the Commonwealth and India’s Connection
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