Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — London has once again been named the world best city, maintaining its top spot for the 11th consecutive year, according to the 2026 World’s Best Cities Report released by global consultancy firm Resonance Consultancy. Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, climbed to 53rd place, marking a significant rise from its 2023 position.
The ranking combines data from global users, proprietary research, and statistical indicators, as well as a large-scale survey by research firm Ipsos that involved over 21,000 respondents across 30 countries.
According to the New York Post, London’s enduring dominance stems largely from its strong performance in the “Prosperity” category. The city, often described as “The Capital of Capitals,” continues to attract students, entrepreneurs, tourists, and investors from around the world.
Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, said the city has launched a 10-year plan aimed at attracting record numbers of global companies, expanding international reach, and increasing both tourism and investment, with a target of £10 billion in new investments by 2035.
New York City rose to second place this year, described in the report as “America’s eternal heartbeat,” praised for its resilience and refusal to “play by anyone’s script.” Tourism remains a key driver for the Big Apple, which welcomed nearly 65 million visitors in 2024 and is projected to attract about 64.1 million in 2025, generating over US$70 billion in revenue.
Paris rounded out the top three, earning praise as a “living laboratory of futuristic urbanism” while preserving its historical charm.
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Meanwhile, Jakarta from Indonesia ranked 53rd overall, just below Guangzhou and ahead of Delhi. Within Southeast Asia, the Indonesian capital placed behind Kuala Lumpur (50), Bangkok (22), and Singapore (6).
This is only the second time Jakarta has broken into the top 100, after ranking 89th in 2023. The city outperformed several major capitals, including Washington, D.C. (57th) and Taipei (63rd), underscoring its growing global profile as an emerging metropolis.
(Raidi/Agung)
