Surpassing giants such as San Francisco, Melbourne and Zurich, Dubai has proudly climbed into the top 10 of preferred cities in terms of living comfort and prosperity. These are the findings of Resonance’s latest report on the world’s cities of excellence.

Dubai has taken the lead, overtaking not only San Francisco, but also Amsterdam, Los Angeles, Washington, Istanbul, Vienna, Toronto, Boston, Melbourne, Zurich and Sydney, among others, in terms of attractiveness and economic potential. The podium is occupied by London, followed by Paris and New York. Tokyo, Singapore and San Francisco are also on the list, but it’s Dubai that stands out, just ahead of Barcelona, Amsterdam and Seoul.

This ranking is based on a number of criteria, including the well-being of residents, the charm of cities, and their economic dynamism. It takes into account a wide range of factors, including pedestrian accessibility, cultural heritage, leisure facilities, air access, cultural and educational offerings, as well as the entrepreneurial fabric, especially start-ups.

With emblematic architectural achievements such as the Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Khalifa, Dubai stands out in particular, ranking eighth in the “Attractiveness” category. Its appeal is enhanced by an impressive range of sumptuous shopping malls, modern aquariums, indoor ski slopes, themed leisure areas and family-friendly resorts.

In the Middle East, Abu Dhabi ranks second in the region and 25th worldwide. It is closely followed by Riyadh (28th), Doha (36th), Kuwait (58th) and Muscat (89th).