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International Ranking
Innovative City
Top Choice for Female Digital Nomads (Time Out, 2025)
The UK’s Time Out recently ranked the world’s ten safest cities for female digital nomads, and Taipei claimed the top spot—surpassing Penang, Venice, Chiang Rai, Kaohsiung, and other well-known destinations.
Smart City Index (IMD, 2024)
In the 2024 Smart City Index published by the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), Taipei ranked 16th globally and 5th across Asia.
World Digital Competitiveness (IMD, 2024)
The IMD’s 2024 World Digital Competitiveness Ranking placed Taiwan 9th among 67 economies worldwide and 4th in Asia. Seven of Taiwan’s digital indicators rank in the global top three:
- Market capitalization of ICT & media stock market as a share of GDP (1st)
- R&D personnel per 1,000 people (2nd)
- Agility of companies (2nd)
- PISA – Math performance of students (3rd)
- Tertiary education attainment of 25–34 years old (3rd)
- Gross expenditure on R&D as a share of GDP (3rd)
- High-tech exports as a share of GDP (3rd)
World Talent Ranking (IMD, 2024)
The 2024 IMD World Talent Ranking placed Taiwan 18th globally and 3rd in Asia.
World Competitiveness Yearbook (IMD, 2024)
In the IMD’s 2024 World Competitiveness Yearbook, Taiwan ranked 8th overall—and, among economies with over 20 million people, it has held the top spot for four consecutive years.
Global Cities Outlook (A.T. Kearney, 2024)
A.T. Kearney’s 2024 Global Cities Outlook, which evaluates cities on individual well-being, economic strength, innovation, and governance, ranked Taipei 41st worldwide.
Global Power City Index (Mori Memorial Foundation, 2024)
In the 2024 Global Power City Index, Taipei placed 50th overall. It climbed in three of the six dimensions, with its strongest performance in Accessibility (15th). The city government continues to cultivate an “innovation ecosystem” and upholds sustainable livability as a core value to bolster Taipei’s global influence.
Finance & Economy
Cities in Motion Index (IESE, 2024)
IESE Business School’s 2024 Cities in Motion Index ranked Taipei 27th globally and 5th in the Asia-Pacific region.
Economic Freedom (Heritage Foundation, 2024)
The Heritage Foundation’s 2024 Index of Economic Freedom placed Taiwan 4th worldwide and 2nd in Asia-Pacific.
Sustainable Cities Index (Arcadis, 2024)
Arcadis’s 2024 Sustainable Cities Index assessed cities on People, Planet, and Profit across 28 indicators, ranking Taipei 62nd globally and 12th in Asia, outperforming Washington, Houston, and Kuala Lumpur, among others.
Global Financial Centres Index (Z/Yen, 2024)
The 35th edition of the Global Financial Centres Index ranked Taipei 73rd globally and 19th in Asia
Lifestyle & Tourism
Global Nightlife (Time Out, 2024)
Time Out’s 2024 Best Cities for Nightlife survey placed Taipei 12th worldwide and 2nd in Asia for catering to all age groups
International Blue Carbon City Award (SWS, 2024)
Taipei became the first inland city ever to win the Blue Carbon City Award hosted by Society of Wetland Scientists, recognized for its outstanding mangrove and wetland ecosystem management.
World Happiness Report (SDSN, 2024)
Taiwan ranked 31st globally and 2nd in Asia in the 2024 World Happiness Report by the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Gallup, and the University of Oxford’s Wellbeing Research Centre.
Health Care Index (Numbeo, mid-2024)
Numbeo’s mid-2024 Health Care Index placed Taipei 2nd among 218 cities with a score of 86.6.
Safety Index (Numbeo, mid-2024)
Numbeo’s mid-2024 Safety Index ranked Taipei 5th among 320 cities, scoring 83.7
Global Healthcare System (CEO World, 2024)
CEO World’s 2024 ranking of healthcare systems across 110 countries once again named Taiwan 1st.
Best Student Cities (QS, 2025)
QS’s 2025 Best Student Cities list placed Taipei 26th, praised for its rising university reputation, convenient and diverse lifestyle, and affordable living costs.
Quality of Living (Mercer, 2024)
Mercer’s 2024 Quality of Living City Ranking, covering political/social environment, economic factors, culture, and 39 sub-indicators, placed Taipei 85th globally and 8th in Asia, outperforming Kuala Lumpur, Busan, Shanghai, and Bangkok.