Abu Dhabi continues to build its reputation with a growing list of accolades, including being recognized as the safest and richest city in the world, and now, as the best global city for internet connectivity. According to Kearney’s Global Cities Index, the capital has achieved this distinction, marking the first time internet speed metrics have been included in the report.
The report evaluates the connectivity and global characteristics of major cities, placing Abu Dhabi at the forefront for fast internet access. This new metric falls under the Information Exchange dimension, reflecting the rising significance of the digital economy as digital services increasingly outpace physical goods.
While New York topped the overall dimension, it was highlighted as the second-best city for internet speed, with London ranking significantly lower at 97th. Other cities in the top ten for internet connection included several American cities, alongside Shanghai, Singapore, Beijing, and Bangkok.
In addition to its impressive internet speed, Abu Dhabi, alongside Dubai, was also recognized as the best city for ease of entry, a new metric introduced this year. This category assesses a city’s ability to attract and retain foreign talent through open immigration policies designed specifically for this purpose.
Rudolph Lohmeyer, a partner at the National Transformations Institute at Kearney, commented on the report, stating, “Our analysis reveals a new form of globalization that is more distributed, networked, and marked by uncertainty in the near term. As global trade patterns and capital flows shift, cities in the Middle East have a tremendous opportunity to leverage their strategic locations, robust economies, favorable immigration policies, and advanced digital infrastructures to mitigate risks and drive economic growth.”
