Palma, one of the 200 best cities in the world to live
The Balearic capital stands out especially in environment, governance and quality of life, but the report points to the pressure on housing as one of the main challenges of large cities
PalmaPalma is one of the 200 best cities in the world to live in, according to the 2026 Global Cities Index by Oxford Economics. The Balearic capital ranks 200th out of a total of 1,000 cities analyzed based on five major criteria: economy, human capital, quality of life, environment, and governance.
Precisely, the environment, governance, and quality of life are Palma's main strengths, according to the study by the British consultancy.
Palma is the fifth city in the country to appear best positioned in the ranking, behind Madrid (30), Barcelona (72), and Valencia (180), and ahead of Bilbao (211), Malaga (212), and Seville (229).
The report also focuses on some of the challenges shared by large cities, especially demographic growth and pressure on housing. Increasing demand and limited supply have contributed to rising purchase and rental prices.
Oxford Economics considers that housing affordability will become increasingly important for attracting workers. In the case of Palma, this factor takes on special relevance in a ranking that places quality of life among the city's main strengths.
The global ranking is led by New York, London, and Paris. Cities in the United States stand out especially for their economic strength and human capital, while European cities achieve better results in quality of life, environment, and governance.
