Tel Aviv ranked 34th globally in Oxford Economics’ 2026 Global Cities Index, published on September 15, which assesses major cities across five key areas: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment, and Governance.
Tel Aviv’s strongest results were recorded in Economics, where it ranked 16th in the world, and Human Capital, where it placed 31st. The city ranked 156th in Quality of Life, 234th in Environment and 401st in Governance.
While it's still not the 2024 result, in which Tel Aviv ranked 30th worldwide, it's better than the 2025 result, where the city was placed 46th.
The index is fairly new, introduced in 2024, and ranks the top 1,000 cities worldwide. The index claims to offer insights into how cities are adapting and thriving in a rapidly changing environment.
Tel Aviv is also the highest-ranked city in the Middle East and North Africa in the 2026 index, and one of only three Middle Eastern cities included in the global top 50.
Oxford Economics highlights Tel Aviv’s technology and innovation ecosystem as one of the driving forces behind its strong overall position. The report describes the city’s ‘Silicon Wadi’ ecosystem as “home to both startups and established companies operating across sectors including defense, finance and biotechnology”.
While the scale and productivity of these industries help place Tel Aviv in the top global decile for both GDP size and GDP per person, the report states that Tel Aviv’s economy, as a microcosm of broader Israel, has “taken a significant hit since the attacks on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent war, and the conflict with Iran has only added to regional geopolitical risks”.
According to the report, Tel Aviv’s economy is valued at approximately $267 billion, with GDP per person of $86,300 and a metropolitan population of 3.1 million. Oxford Economics identifies the city’s large economic base, concentration of corporate headquarters and low emissions intensity among its principal strengths.
Security situation weighs on governance score
In addressing the effect of the regional geopolitical situation on Tel Aviv’s ranking, the report labels the Governance category as the ‘weakest’, “a reflection of Israel’s unique geopolitical situation”.
“Regional geopolitical tensions with Iran and its allies also play a significant role, particularly the recent conflict in Iran and the renewed attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon,” the report reflects.
At the same time, Oxford Economics states that “Tel Aviv remains slated to perform well in the rankings in the coming years from a structural standpoint,” pointing to the city’s underlying economic and human-capital strengths while noting that continued regional instability presents risks.
Tech and education drive economic and human capital scores
The data shows that the city’s technology sector plays a central role in its strong Human Capital performance. Oxford Economics points to the contribution of institutions including Tel Aviv University and Bar-Ilan University to research and development, particularly in fields connected to the city’s technology sector.
The report also notes that Tel Aviv has one of the highest rates of educational attainment in the Middle East and North Africa, supported by a highly skilled workforce and the concentration of high-paying technology jobs.
Quality of life and environment
On quality of life, the report states that high-paying jobs contribute to Tel Aviv’s high income per person, which ranks among the global top 100.
It also highlights the region’s highest life expectancy and the city’s healthcare system, while identifying high housing costs as an ongoing challenge.
On the environmental side, Oxford Economics points to the relatively low carbon intensity of Tel Aviv’s economy, reflecting the importance of technology and professional services in the city’s growth.