A Question of Talent: How Human Capital Will Determine the Next Global Leaders

Research Report:
A Question of Talent: How Human Capital Will Determine the Next Global Leaders
2019 Global Cities Report
The Global Cities Index and Outlook reveal the world’s top-performing cities and those with the most potential.

The vibrancy of the world’s most competitive cities—places such as London, New York, Singapore, and San Francisco—is no happy coincidence. With a focus on human capital, thoughtful municipal policies, smart corporate investment, and a commitment to building a technology pathway into the future, these cities have become bustling, global hubs that attract people and businesses alike.
But their continued dominance is not a given. The A.T. Kearney 2019 Global Cities report reveals which cities are the world’s leaders and why as well as which cities are the frontrunners for the future. This report also highlights factors that organizations—from multinational corporations to non-governmental organizations—should consider as they decide where and why to invest.
This year’s Global Cities Index and Outlook reveal a world in flux, with several top cities at crucial junctures. Will they continue to lead on the global stage? Or are they at risk of losing talent and investment to rising players? North America and Europe are still wrestling with political uncertainty and rising nationalism, which is raising questions about the long-range prospects. At the same time, the strength of China’s economy and improved openness in the Middle East are propelling cities in these emerging regions toward greater prominence on the global stage.
Of course, we can’t predict the future. But the 2019 Global Cities report does illuminate the elements that cities and regions need to become and remain highly competitive. We also spotlight the imperative for rising Chinese cities to double down on citizen-centric development if they want to maintain their momentum. Above all other factors, as our title suggests, it is a question of talent.
Highlights from the 2019 Global Cities Report
New York, London, and Paris maintain their decade-long dominance as the top three cities in the Global Cities Index.
London’s steady performance brings it to the very top of the Global Cities Outlook. San Francisco drops from first to third as challenger cities outpace the California tech hub in personal well-being and foreign investment.
Predictions about the impact of Brexit have yet to materialize, but performance across leading European cities has nevertheless stalled.
The leading cities continue to outperform the rest of the cities in attracting and retaining qualified talent.
This year’s results suggest the potential of a transformative shift, with up-and-coming cities gaining momentum in many areas.
Once again, China proves this point as its urban areas continue to improve their livability, become more citizen-centric, and close in on the world’s leading cities.
2019 Global Cities Index Results
New York keeps the top spot, but leading cities shouldn’t get complacent
A leading trio at risk?
The Global Cities Index and Outlook provide insights into the current performance and future potential of cities (see figure 1). Complete rankings and more details about the methodology are provided in the appendix. The Index reveals which cities are the most competitive now in key areas from business activity and culture to human capital, political engagement, and information exchange. New York, London, and Paris continue to hold the top three places. This trio has dominated the Index for the past decade, but even as their standings remain the same, changes in the broader Index scores suggest a fundamental shift is under way.

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