India’s cities have been identified as some of the poorest performers in terms of quality of life, according to the Global Cities Index 2026 compiled by Oxford Economics. This index evaluates 1,000 cities worldwide, and notably, several Indian cities rank below 775. The rankings highlight the disparity between economic strength and quality of life, with cities in India struggling to achieve higher positions despite their economic and human capital advantages.

Among the top-ranked cities globally, Canberra, Australia, stands out as the leader in quality of life. Following closely are Bergen in Norway and Singapore, which occupy the second and third positions, respectively. Other notable cities in the top tier include Grenoble in France, Bern in Switzerland, and Oslo in Norway. The list also features Luxembourg City, Dresden, Ghent, and Paris, showcasing a range of cities that excel in various aspects of living standards.

In stark contrast, none of India’s highest-ranked cities managed to secure a place within the top 500 for quality of life. Singapore leads the South Asia region, while Kuala Lumpur is positioned at 283. Malacca in Malaysia ranks third in the region at 321st globally, indicating the challenges faced by Indian cities in improving their living conditions.

Economic and Human Capital Rankings

New York City has been ranked first in the overall global standings, followed by London and Paris. New York also leads in economic rankings, with Los Angeles and San Jose taking the second and third spots, respectively. All three cities are located in the United States, highlighting the country’s dominance in economic performance.

In terms of human capital, London is at the forefront, with Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and Tokyo in Japan following closely behind. This indicates a strong emphasis on education, workforce development, and overall human resource capabilities in these leading cities.

Environmental rankings present a different perspective, with Honolulu in the United States taking the top position, followed by Fortaleza in Brazil and Bergen in Norway. The diverse leaders across these categories illustrate the unique strengths that different cities possess, which may not always correlate with their overall rankings.

India’s Position in the Index

Only 91 Indian cities were included in the Global Cities Index. Delhi emerged as the highest-ranked city in India, positioned at 268 overall, followed by Bengaluru at 311. Mumbai and Chennai are ranked 330 and 381, respectively, while Hyderabad and Pune follow at 421 and 427. The remaining cities in India’s top ten include Thrissur, Kochi, Kolkata, and Kozhikode.

Despite Delhi’s overall ranking, its quality of life is rated at 781, revealing a significant gap between its economic performance and living conditions. Delhi ranks 13th in human capital, with an economic rank of 116, the highest among Indian cities. However, its environmental ranking is notably low at 915, indicating substantial challenges in this area.

The rankings of Indian cities underscore the complexities of urban living, where higher overall standings do not necessarily equate to better quality of life. This situation highlights the need for targeted improvements in specific areas such as environmental sustainability and living standards to enhance the overall well-being of residents in these cities.

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