The Saudi capital, Riyadh, has made a significant leap in the ranking of global cities for 2026, after advancing 47 places at once to occupy the 50th position globally among 1,000 cities spread across 163 countries, according to the 2026 Global Cities Index issued by Oxford Economics.
This progress reflects the accelerating rise of Riyadh on the global city map, after it continued to improve its ranking in recent years, moving from 118th globally in 2024 to 97th in 2025, advancing 21 places in one year, before achieving a bigger leap in 2026 by climbing 47 places to 50th globally.
68 centers in two years
Looking at the rankings over the recent period, Riyadh has advanced 68 places since 2024, moving from 118th to 50th globally in just two years.
This trajectory places the Saudi capital among the cities that have recorded rapid improvement in the global ranking, moving from 118th place in 2024 to 97th in 2025, and then to 50th place in 2026.
5 axes and 27 indicators
The Global Cities Index is based on a comprehensive assessment of city performance across 5 main pillars and 27 sub-indicators, providing a multi-faceted reading of cities" level of development and their ability to achieve growth.
The index's pillars include the economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance, allowing for the measurement of a range of factors related to urban performance and city attractiveness. The assessment is not limited to the volume of economic activity but extends to a city's ability to attract human capital, improve quality of life and the environment, and its level of governance.
Riyadh strengthens its presence as a regional hub
Riyadh’s rise in the global rankings coincides with the transformations taking place in the Saudi capital, amid expanding economic and investment activity and the development of the urban environment.
The progress in the Global Cities Index reinforces Riyadh’s presence as a regional hub for business and investment, as well as its ability to attract talent, according to the areas measured by the index.
