World's most dynamic cities: London takes top spot
What's the story
In a fast-changing world, it's tough to know which cities are set to thrive in the long run. The 2025 IESE Cities in Motion Index evaluates 183 major cities worldwide across nine categories: technology, human capital, social cohesion, economy, government, environment, and mobility and transportation. It also considers urban planning and international profiles. According to the latest report by IESE Business School professors Pascual Berrone and Joan Enric Ricart, London is the world's most dynamic city in 2025.
US cities
American cities among the top 20
The study also praised American cities. New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C. all made it to the top 20 most dynamic cities in the world. However, they were criticized for low levels of social cohesion. This was measured by metrics such as inclusivity, community well-being, elderly care, healthcare quality, and access to safe environments.
Urban progress
Dynamic cities' future hinges on innovation
Berrone and Ricart stress that the future of cities doesn't depend only on their size or wealth, but on their ability to innovate, foresee, and address new challenges quickly. They said, "The key to urban progress lies in combining strategic vision with operational flexibility." The fifth spot was taken by Berlin, the fourth by Tokyo, while Paris and New York occupied the third and second spots, respectively.