When asked which cities are considered to be India’s top ones, cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru often come to mind. However, a surprising revelation has been made by the latest Oxford Economics Global Cities Index, which places smaller cities like Kochi and Thrissur ahead in terms of liveability and attractiveness. This article delves into the details of the rankings and explores why Kochi stands out in terms of quality of life compared to India’s more prominent urban centers.
Quality of Life Rankings
Kochi and Thrissur Shine
The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024 reveals that Kochi and Thrissur have outperformed larger Indian cities in the ‘Quality of Life’ category. Kochi is ranked 765th, and Thrissur follows closely at 757th. This category evaluates various indicators measuring the benefits of living in a city, including residents’ well-being, financial and health outcomes, and access to amenities.
Major Cities Fall Behind
In contrast, India’s major cities have scored significantly lower in quality of life:
– Mumbai : Ranked 915th
– Delhi : Ranked 838th
– Bengaluru : Ranked 847th
– Hyderabad : Ranked 882nd
Despite being economic powerhouses, these cities struggle with challenges that affect their livability, such as pollution, traffic congestion, and high living costs.
Overall Rankings
While Kochi and Thrissur excel in quality of life, they do not perform as well in the overall rankings, which take into account additional factors such as economics, human capital, environment, and governance. Here are the overall rankings for some of the major cities:
– Mumbai : 427th
– Delhi : 350th
– Bengaluru : 411th
This disparity highlights the different strengths and weaknesses of each city. Although the larger cities have robust economic and human capital metrics, their lower scores in quality of life reveal areas needing improvement.
Global Leaders
At the top of the global rankings, New York, London, San Jose, and Tokyo lead the list. These cities demonstrate balanced excellence across all measured categories, setting benchmarks for others to aspire to.
Future Trends and Economic Outlook
Looking ahead, the report identifies several global trends that could impact city rankings in the coming years:
- Economic Disparities : An uneven economic outlook across regions may influence future rankings.
- – Inflation Concerns : Persistent inflation could affect the economic scores of many cities.
- – Debt Sustainability : Developing countries, including those housing some of the ranked cities, face challenges related to debt sustainability, which could hinder their economic performance.
Methodology of the Report
The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index ranks cities based on five categories:
1. Economics (30%)
2. Human Capital (25%)
3. Quality of Life (25%)
4. Environment (10%)
5. Governance (10%)
Data was collected for each indicator within these categories, and a normalised score was assigned, with the highest-scoring city receiving a score of 100 and the lowest a score of 0. These scores were combined to create total scores for each category, and a final overall score was calculated using a weighted average of each category’s normalised score.
Also Read : Exploring the Charms of Fort Kochi: A Historic Gem of South India
Conclusion, The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2024 has brought to light surprising insights into the quality of life across Indian cities. Kochi and Thrissur, though smaller, offer better living conditions compared to the bustling metropolises of Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru. As cities continue to grow and evolve, addressing quality of life issues will be crucial for ensuring sustainable and inclusive urban development.