Who Tops the Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026

The Asian Cities Internationality Index 2026  (ACII) highlights a growing reality: the most competitive cities in Asia are no longer defined solely by economic strength. Instead, success increasingly depends on a city’s ability to combine business opportunity, innovation, connectivity, quality of life, and the attraction of global talent.   The magic mix balances economic opportunity and quality of life.

Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Singapore are prominent global cities, but they are not the only ones. The ACII assesses 11 key Asian cities and their success in engaging with international markets and serving as business hubs. The 2026 report expanded its scope to include 119 indicators, blending economic and infrastructure data with input from over 1,100 local business leaders across the studied cities.

The Index measures performance across seven dimensions that are highly relevant to multinational employers and internationally mobile employees:

1. Business and Economy – strong economic foundation, supportive policies, and an open environment
2. Quality of Life – livability, safety, cultural amenities, and access to services
3. Infrastructure and Connectivity – transportation systems, technological networks, and ability to connect people, capital, commodities, and information freely and efficiently
4. Innovation and Ideas – vibrant ecosystem, commitment to research and innovation, and receptiveness to forward-thinking ideas
5. Human Capital Diversity – education competitiveness, talent magnetism, workforce diversity, and an inclusive environment
6. Cultural Interaction – ability to foster cultural exchanges through tourism, events, facilities, and openness to varied cultures and traditions
7. Government and Legal System for Business – stable governance and robust legal system

Together, these categories assess not only economic strength, but also factors that directly impact employee attraction, mobility, integration, and retention. Cities that perform well typically offer strong transport links, diverse talent pools, business-friendly regulations, cultural openness, and quality living environments.

The 2026 Rankings:

Top Insights:

1. Hong Kong Remains Asia’s Most International City

Hong Kong retained the top position for the second consecutive year, increasing its overall score from 73.7 to 74.6. The city continues to benefit from its highly open business environment, strong international connectivity, world-class infrastructure, and role as a gateway between China and global markets. Hong Kong also improved its ranking in the Innovation and Ideas category, moving from fourth to third place.

2. Singapore Continues to Be a Leading Talent Hub

Singapore maintained its second-place ranking and remains one of Asia’s strongest destinations for multinational organizations. The report highlights Singapore’s ability to attract and integrate global talent, supported by its diverse workforce, business-friendly environment, and reputation as a regional headquarters location.

3. Seoul Is Emerging as One of Asia’s Fastest-Rising Global Cities

Seoul was one of the biggest movers in the 2026 rankings, climbing to third place and overtaking Tokyo. Its rise was driven largely by improvements in Quality of Life and Innovation and Ideas, reflecting South Korea’s growing influence in technology, research, and international business.

4. Quality of Life Matters More Than Ever

One of the report’s clearest messages is that employers seeking to attract and retain international talent must consider more than compensation and career opportunities. Cities that perform well in quality of life, lifestyle offerings, cultural engagement, and day-to-day livability are becoming increasingly competitive in the race for global talent.

5. Innovation Is Becoming a Major Differentiator

The report shows that innovation ecosystems are playing an increasingly important role in determining a city’s international standing. Hong Kong, Seoul, and Shanghai all performed strongly on innovation-related measures, highlighting the growing importance of technology, research, startups, and knowledge-based industries in attracting investment and skilled talent.

6. Connectivity Remains a Competitive Advantage

Cities scoring highest on the Index generally offer robust transportation networks, international flight connectivity, digital infrastructure, and easy access to global markets. For multinational companies managing international assignments, these factors directly affect employee mobility, business travel efficiency, and regional operating models.

7. Asian Cities Are Competing for Global Talent

The Index emphasizes that human capital diversity and cultural interaction are now critical measures of internationality. Cities that successfully attract expatriates, international professionals, students, and multinational businesses are strengthening their long-term competitiveness.

This trend is particularly relevant for organizations relocating employees across Asia, as talent increasingly evaluates destinations based on career opportunities, inclusiveness, lifestyle, and family experience.

8. Emerging Cities Continue to Gain Ground

While Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Tokyo dominate the top tier, cities such as Mumbai, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur continue to improve their international standing. Mumbai’s advancement reflects its evolution into a more globally connected business center, while Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur continue to benefit from strong tourism, education, and regional business appeal.

The key takeaway is that the future winners in Asia’s talent competition will be the cities that offer both a compelling business environment and a compelling employee experience. For employers relocating talent, it shines a spotlight on the need to support assignees beyond logistics and help them successfully integrate into their new locations