Amsterdam ranks #2 in fDi’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024
In the latest unveiling of fDi Intelligence's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024 ranking, cities from central and eastern Europe took the spotlight, with Amsterdam ranking #2, continuing its prominence in the major cities category.
Amsterdam remains a strong contender in the latest fDi ranking
fDi Intelligence uses real-time data to create the European Cities and Regions of the Future 2024 report, a resource for cross-border investment analysis. Despite the challenges faced by foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023, the ranking sought to identify the most promising investment destinations across Europe.
The assessment considered 330 European cities categorised by population size and 141 European regions, evaluating them based on economic potential, business friendliness, connectivity, human capital and lifestyle, and cost-effectiveness.
Amsterdam ranked #2 in the major cities category, maintaining its standing among the top trio alongside London and Dublin. While London holds the title of Europe's top city for talent availability and lifestyle, the Dutch capital closely follows, leveraging a combination of talent availability, connectivity, business environment, and economic potential. Dublin secured its third-place position primarily due to its promising economic prospects.
Amsterdam excels in these 3 categories
- Skilled talent pool - Amsterdam’s highly educated workforce availability was among the chief reasons for placing #2 in this year’s ranking. The region is known for its diverse talent pool and international outlook. In fact, the Netherlands secured the 5th position in the 2023 IMD World Talent Ranking, showcasing the country’s overall aptitude in cultivating a highly skilled workforce.
- Bustling tech scene - Amsterdam’s robust digital infrastructure and fast and reliable connections make it an easy place to start, adapt or grow in tech. An established player in Europe’s tech ecosystem, the region nourishes the growth of a diverse and future-focused tech landscape.
- Connectivity - Standing out for its logistics strengths in this year’s results, Amsterdam fosters an environment that turns ideas into future-changing actions through connectivity. Notably, the Port of Amsterdam emerged as a standout logistics hub, with significant projects underway, including the construction of a green hydrogen plant in collaboration with Electriq Global and Zenith Energy.
