Casablanca Tops North African Cities in Oxford Economics Global Index

Monday 24 June 2024 - 09:40

The Global Cities Index also highlights Rabat, Agadir, and Marrakech among other Moroccan cities.

Casablanca has emerged as the most attractive city in North Africa, according to the Global Cities Index 2024 by Oxford Economics. The Moroccan economic hub has been ranked 442nd out of 1,000 cities worldwide in the latest evaluation.

The Global Cities Index assesses cities based on five pivotal criteria: economic power, human capital, quality of life, environmental integrity, and governance effectiveness. Casablanca excels particularly in human capital and environmental integrity, ranking 287th and 225th respectively. This reflects the city’s strong educational and business environment as well as its relatively healthy natural surroundings amidst climate change concerns.

However, Casablanca faces notable challenges in other areas. It ranks 713th in quality of life, a metric that considers residents’ well-being, financial and health outcomes, and access to amenities. Additionally, the city stands at 562nd in governance, which evaluates political stability and the protection of residents' rights on a national level.

The index also includes several other Moroccan cities, each with unique strengths and areas for improvement. Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, is placed 504th overall. It achieves a commendable economic ranking at 438th and an exceptional environmental rating at 156th, although it struggles with governance, mirroring Casablanca’s rank of 562.

Tangier, positioned at 631st, faces challenges with a fragile economy and limited human capital, both ranked 727th. Nonetheless, it boasts a top-tier environmental score at 130th.

Agadir, Marrakech, Fes, and Meknes are ranked 656th, 670th, 684th, and 727th respectively. These cities show significant potential for improvement, particularly in quality of life, where all Moroccan cities are ranked beyond the 700th place.

The Oxford Economics Global Cities Index provides a comprehensive ranking of 1,000 cities included in their Global Cities Forecasting Service, offering valuable insights into the multifaceted dynamics shaping urban centers across the globe.