London has been ranked the ‘World’s Best City’ for the 11th year in new research released at WTM London (World Travel Market). The World’s Best Cities 2026 report scores global cities for their liveability, loveability and prosperity. Toronto topped out five Canadian entries in the top 100 at No. 17.
New York came second and Paris third in the report, which is presented by Resonance and Ipsos and is considers “liveability,” including access to green spaces, public transport and clean air; “loveability” – considering culture, nightlife and social media engagement; and prosperity, incorporating economic strength, educational attainment and air connectivity.
Overall, the United States had the most cities in the 2026 Top 100 with 19, followed by Germany with eight and China with seven.
Rankings combine global user-generated data, core statistical performance, and new proprietary research – including a landmark Ipsos survey of more than 21,000 respondents across 30 countries, to create the world’s most comprehensive cities ranking.
London secured its first place by scoring first for prosperity, second for lovability and third for liveability in the research.
New York was helped to second place by its ongoing investment in its cultural economy, massive urban infrastructure projects, and the continued global infatuation with the city, despite the US political shift from globalization affecting ‘brand perceptions.’
Third placed Paris is meanwhile noted to be thriving as a future-focused city with an historic backdrop.
The Top 10 World’s Best Cities for 2026 are:
- London
- New York
- Paris
- Tokyo
- Madrid
- Singapore
- Rome
- Dubai
- Berlin
- Barcelona
Following Toronto (17), Canadian cities on the list included:
- Vancouver (41) – “Gorgeous and smart, Vancouver is embracing its global reputation as a coveted, livable destination”
- Montreal (46) – “You’re about to hear a lot more about Canada’s laid-back second city (and North America’s most European)”
- Ottawa (73) – “A cosmopolitan city in it’s own right”
- Calgary (85) – “Youthful energy and big infrastructure are gushing at the foot of the Canadian Rockies”
Of Canada’s top city, the report said, “Toronto’s magnetism starts with its brainpower: the University of Toronto, York and Toronto Metropolitan (all combing for a #11 global University ranking) anchor one of North America’s most educated metros. In fact, Toronto boasts the fourth most educated population on the planet. They feed centuries-old companies and a humming start-up scene – momentum that keeps the city among the planet’s most coveted for immigrants, resulting in a populace where the majority of residents were born outside of Canada.
“You feel the growth in the skyline: more than 150 tower cranes, a renovated Massey Hall, Renzo Piano’s Ontario Court of Justice and Love Park’s heart-shaped pond – all catnip for Instagram, where Toronto consistently ranks among the most-posted cities (#13) and firmly atop Google Trends (#18).
“On the city’s long-neglected Lake Ontario waterfront, the billion-dollar Port Lands Flood Protection has rerouted the Don River into a new 0.8-mile channel and opened the first 49 acres of Biidaasige Park, with another 15 acres coming online through 2028, cementing Toronto’s impressive #21-ranked Nature & Parks.
“Big stages are next. BMO Field’s expansion to host FIFA World Cup 2026 matches is underway, and the Metro Toronto Convention Centre pipeline is strengthening citywide events.”
City issues
The report also highlights issues currently affecting cities. These include the climate effects of extreme heat, urban wildfires and water shortages and the need for energy transition.
The uneven post-COVID rebound of international demand was another challenge as were, for some countries, shifting global perceptions.
The full 2026 World’s Best Cities report is available HERE.
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