Annual ranking of 100 global cities based on stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure

Due to rapid urbanization over the past 20 years, many newly developed areas have lagged in socio-economic maturity, creating an imbalance with older cities and leading to the rise of "ghost cities". However, the complexity of socio-economic factors has hindered global studies from measuring this phenomenon. To address this gap, a unified framework based on urban vitality theory and multi-source data is proposed to measure the Ghost City Index (GCI), which has been validated using various data sources. The study encompasses 8,841 natural cities worldwide with areas exceeding 5 km², categorizing each into new urban areas (developed after 2005) and old urban areas (developed before 2005). Urban vitality was gauged using the density of road networks, points of interest (POIs), and population density with 1 km resolution across morphological, functional, and social dimensions. By comparing urban vitality in new and old urban areas, we quantify the GCI globally using the theory of urban vitality for the first time. The results reveal that the vitality of new urban areas is 7.69% that of old ones. The top 5% (442) of cities were designated as ghost cities, a finding mirrored by news media and other research. This study sheds light on strategies for sustainable global urbanization, crucial for the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.The code file gives the calculation process of data respectively, and the excel file gives the obtained data. For the explanation of the fields in “citypoint.shp”, please refer to the Supplementary Information of the paper (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2025.103350).Ref: Zhang, Y., Tu, T., & Long, Y. (2025). Inferring ghost cities on the globe in newly developed urban areas based on urban vitality with multi-source data. Habitat International, 158, 103350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2025.103350

In 2025, Seoul was ranked **** among smart cities worldwide according to multiple indicators covering existing infrastructure, technological services, and categories under the Human Development Index (HDI). This was **** places higher than in the previous year. The capital city of South Korea has risen in global smart city rankings almost every survey year since 2019.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Shanghai data was reported at 99.700 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 96.400 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Shanghai data is updated monthly, averaging 102.200 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.600 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2018 and a record low of 96.400 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

As of September 2024, New York ranked as the world's most attractive financial center, earning a score of 763 on a comprehensive financial center rating index that considers multiple factors. London followed closely in second place with a rating of 750. What are financial centers? A financial center is a city or region that serves as a strategic hub for the financial industry, bringing together banks, trading firms, stock exchanges, and other financial institutions. These hubs are typically distinguished by strong infrastructure, a stable regulatory and political environment, favorable taxation policies, and ample opportunities for business and trade growth. According to a 2024 survey of financial services professionals, the key factors influencing a financial center's competitiveness were the business environment, human capital, and infrastructure. Financial centers by region According to the Global Financial Centers Index, the most attractive financial hubs in North America are New York, San Francisco, and Chicago. In Latin America and the Caribbean, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Sao Paulo received the highest scores. When financial sector professionals were asked which financial centers were likely to become more significant in the next years, they pointed to Seoul, Singapore, Dubai.

CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hefei data was reported at 100.000 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 101.500 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hefei data is updated monthly, averaging 102.250 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.800 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2022 and a record low of 99.600 Prev Year=100 in Sep 2024. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hefei data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Harbin data was reported at 100.200 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.200 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Harbin data is updated monthly, averaging 102.600 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 109.000 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2018 and a record low of 97.900 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2021. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Harbin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Haikou data was reported at 99.100 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.500 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Haikou data is updated monthly, averaging 100.900 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 104.700 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2018 and a record low of 97.600 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Haikou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Kunming data was reported at 97.000 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 104.600 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Kunming data is updated monthly, averaging 101.950 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 110.500 Prev Year=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 95.500 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2021. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Kunming data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data was reported at 110.200 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 107.800 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data is updated monthly, averaging 102.500 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 110.200 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025 and a record low of 96.600 Prev Year=100 in Nov 2021. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data was reported at 103.700 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.000 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data is updated monthly, averaging 101.400 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 106.500 Prev Year=100 in Sep 2018 and a record low of 97.100 Prev Year=100 in Nov 2023. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Household Facility, Article & Service: 36 City: Urumqi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Shanghai data was reported at 107.700 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 108.200 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Shanghai data is updated monthly, averaging 102.700 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.200 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025 and a record low of 98.400 Prev Year=100 in Jul 2022. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Miscellaneous Goods & Service: 36 City: Shanghai data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Urumqi data was reported at 105.400 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 106.400 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Urumqi data is updated monthly, averaging 99.200 Prev Year=100 from Feb 2001 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 289 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.800 Prev Year=100 in Sep 2021 and a record low of 89.700 Prev Year=100 in Jul 2006. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Urumqi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Tianjin data was reported at 100.500 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.600 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Tianjin data is updated monthly, averaging 102.600 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 111 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 106.100 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2018 and a record low of 98.600 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Tianjin data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Kunming data was reported at 101.200 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This stayed constant from the previous number of 101.200 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Kunming data is updated monthly, averaging 99.800 Prev Year=100 from Feb 2001 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 290 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 112.800 Prev Year=100 in Jul 2013 and a record low of 81.300 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2008. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Clothing: 36 City: Kunming data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

China Consumer Price Index (CPI): 36 City: Miscellaneous Goods & Service data was reported at 101.000 Prev Mth=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 101.500 Prev Mth=100 for Jan 2025. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): 36 City: Miscellaneous Goods & Service data is updated monthly, averaging 100.200 Prev Mth=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 105.400 Prev Mth=100 in Aug 2020 and a record low of 98.600 Prev Mth=100 in Oct 2020. China Consumer Price Index (CPI): 36 City: Miscellaneous Goods & Service data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Previous Month=100.

CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Jinan data was reported at 104.500 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 107.200 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Jinan data is updated monthly, averaging 101.700 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 107.200 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2025 and a record low of 97.300 Prev Year=100 in Dec 2020. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Jinan data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hangzhou data was reported at 97.800 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 101.800 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hangzhou data is updated monthly, averaging 103.300 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 110.700 Prev Year=100 in Jun 2022 and a record low of 97.200 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2021. CN: Consumer Price Index: Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Hangzhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

CN: Consumer Price Index: Clothing: 36 City: Ningbo data was reported at 103.900 Prev Year=100 in Mar 2025. This records an increase from the previous number of 103.800 Prev Year=100 for Feb 2025. CN: Consumer Price Index: Clothing: 36 City: Ningbo data is updated monthly, averaging 100.800 Prev Year=100 from Feb 2001 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 290 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.700 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2007 and a record low of 92.600 Prev Year=100 in Dec 2008. CN: Consumer Price Index: Clothing: 36 City: Ningbo data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.

Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Fuzhou data was reported at 99.100 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 100.800 Prev Year=100 for Jan 2025. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Fuzhou data is updated monthly, averaging 101.500 Prev Year=100 from Jan 2016 (Median) to Feb 2025, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.300 Prev Year=100 in Jan 2017 and a record low of 97.600 Prev Year=100 in Feb 2019. Consumer Price Index (CPI): Education Culture & Entertainment: 36 City: Fuzhou data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Bureau of Statistics. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Inflation – Table CN.IA: Consumer Price Index: 36 City: Same Month PY=100.