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Brighton and Hove: A Top Global City

Fri 07 Jun 2024

Brighton and Hove has proudly been named one of the top cities in the world, ranking 169th out of 1,000 of the largest cities globally. This impressive ranking places our vibrant city above notable locations such as Valencia, Warsaw, and Istanbul.

The ranking, crafted by Oxford Economics, an independent economic advisory company, also places Brighton and Hove 17th in the UK. While we sit behind cities like Birmingham, Southampton, and Leicester, our position is a testament to the unique charm and strengths of our community.

The Global Cities Index, as it’s called, evaluates cities based on five key categories: economics, environment, quality of life, governance, and human capital. Governance takes into account the institutions, political stability, and civil liberties within the city, while human capital focuses on the number of universities and the educational attainment of residents.

Anthony Bernard-Sasges, senior economist at Oxford Economics, highlighted the significance of the index, stating, “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. Our new Global Cities Index is designed to address this challenge.”

London is the only UK city to make the global top ten, ranking second due to its stellar performance in the economic and human capital categories. However, our beloved Brighton and Hove holds its own, showcasing our city’s exceptional qualities on a global stage.

Here’s a peek at the top 20 cities in the UK and their global rankings:

  1. London, 2nd
  2. Manchester, 75th
  3. Edinburgh, 82nd
  4. Bristol, 83rd
  5. Glasgow, 100th
  6. Cambridge, 106th
  7. Birmingham, 113th
  8. Southampton, 126th
  9. Leeds, 129th
  10. Oxford, 130th
  11. Leicester, 131st
  12. Belfast, 145th
  13. Nottingham, 153rd
  14. Cardiff, 162nd
  15. Newcastle, 166th
  16. Sheffield, 168th
  17. Brighton and Hove, 169th
  18. Coventry, 170th
  19. Liverpool, 172nd
  20. Portsmouth, 180th

Brighton and Hove’s inclusion in this prestigious list underscores our city’s dynamic environment, rich culture, and strong community. Here’s to celebrating our place among the world’s best!


Image credit: Sussex News and Pictures