London, New York, and Singapore have emerged as the top cities in the 2026 Savills Global Talent Cities Index. The index evaluates global business hubs based on talent pool, liveability, competitive landscape, economic resilience, and cost efficiency. Singapore stands out as the highest-ranked city in Asia, reflecting its strong position as a global command hub for capital, talent, and decision-making.
The report categorises cities into six archetypes, with Singapore classified as a Global Business Leader city. This classification highlights its role in hosting corporate headquarters and leadership teams. However, Singapore faces challenges such as rising talent costs, high operating expenses, and intense competition for skilled professionals.
Alan Cheong, Executive Director of Savills Research and Consultancy, noted, “Singapore’s strengths in protecting intellectual property and providing a safe environment for expatriates to live has attracted a critical mass of multinational companies to set up a regional base.”
The index also points out that cities with deep talent pools often face high living and working costs, intensifying competition for skilled labour. Conversely, cities excelling in liveability may benefit from lower competition for talent, fostering stronger retention and employee satisfaction.
Sarah Brooks, Associate Director in Savills World Research, commented on the evolving corporate geography, stating that whilst major global cities remain crucial, they are now part of wider office networks supporting growth and cost efficiency. Michelle Needles, Global Head of Enterprise Solutions at Savills, added that companies are increasingly moving to cities where the right talent is available, rather than relocating talent to traditional hubs.
This shift in strategy is expected to drive demand for prime office space in key global cities, despite rising costs and limited new developments.
