Overview

• Munich retains the lead among German cities, ranking 22nd in Oxford Economics’ latest Global Cities Index, with Berlin close behind at 29th.
• A mere $3 billion GDP difference—$283 billion for Munich versus $280 billion for Berlin—highlights the narrowing gap.
• Analysts forecast Berlin will overtake Munich in the coming year, driven by its strong economic outlook, increasing young talent and a booming creative sector.
• The index assesses 1,000 metropolitan areas on economic strength, human capital, quality of life, environmental sustainability and governance performance.
• English-speaking metropolitan areas account for over half of the top 100, while Germany and Switzerland both secure five entries, underscoring uneven global representation.