Which are the best cities in the region in which to live, work and play? The jury is out and, according to the inaugural Asia-Pacific’s Best Cities report, Singapore tops the list, followed by Tokyo, Japan; Seoul, South Korea; Hong Kong; and Beijing, China, rounding off the first five. The report was launched in Singapore at the Centre for Liveable Cities Lecture Series in February 2025.
The report, which considers a region that accounts for more than a third of global economic output, benchmarks 100 cities across 25 metrics that matter to residents, visitors, and investors alike.
From the tech-driven innovation of Bangalore and the cultural bounty of Kyoto, to the modern sophistication of Singapore and the serene beachfront beauty of Kannur, the rankings shine a spotlight on cities that lead in prosperity, liveability, and lovability.
“Cities in Asia Pacific are defining the future of urban living right before our eyes,” said Chris Fair, President and CEO of Resonance Consultancy, which jointly produced the report with IPSOS. “This report captures not only their under-explored economic vitality but also the intangibles that make them unique – celebrating their people, traditions, and visionary development that are, in some ways, becoming the urban blueprint for the rest of the world.”
The report ranks the overall performance of the principal cities of metropolitan areas in the Asia-Pacific region with populations of more than one million, using a unique combination of core statistics and qualitative evaluations and recommendations provided by locals and visitors. Here are the top 10 best cities in Asia Pacific, and some of the core elements that make them special.