Eindhoven named one of Europe’s ‘Cities to Watch’ in Global Cities Index 2026
Eindhoven has been selected as one of Europe’s five ‘Cities to Watch’ in the Oxford Economics Global Cities Index 2026. The report highlights the city’s strong high-tech economy, ambitious growth outlook and high quality of life, positioning Eindhoven among Europe’s promising urban economies.
Eindhoven ranks 80th worldwide in the 2026 Global Cities Index, published by independent economic advisory firm Oxford Economics. The annual index evaluates 1,000 cities across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance.
More notably, Eindhoven is one of just five European cities featured in the report’s Cities to Watch section, alongside Manchester, Tallinn, Toulouse and Warsaw. This selection highlights cities with dynamic economies and strong growth prospects over the coming decade.
Eindhoven’s high-tech economy stands out
Oxford Economics dedicates a detailed profile to Eindhoven, highlighting how the relatively small city makes up for its size with economic dynamism. The report recognizes Eindhoven as one of Europe’s leading centers for innovation, research and advanced manufacturing.
“As one of Europe’s most innovative major urban centres, the city has a leading R&D and advanced manufacturing cluster—known as ‘Brainport Eindhoven’—at the heart of the local economy. Over 5,000 high-tech, knowledge-based companies are located in the city region, with specialisms in areas such as semiconductor production, AI, green technology, and more.”
The report identifies Eindhoven’s concentration of high-productivity manufacturing and research-intensive industries as a defining strength. Unlike many Western European cities, where services dominate economic growth, Eindhoven continues to benefit from a strong industrial base.
This specialization is expected to drive substantial growth in the years ahead. Oxford Economics forecasts that Eindhoven will experience one of the strongest expansions in industrial output in Europe through 2030. Its overall GDP growth is also expected to outperform most Western European cities, supported by demand for advanced technologies and a highly skilled workforce.
The city’s role in semiconductor technology is particularly significant. As home to the world’s leading manufacturer of semiconductor production equipment, Eindhoven occupies an important position in an industry that is increasingly central to the global economy.
Quality of life adds to Eindhoven’s appeal
Economic opportunities are only part of Eindhoven’s story. The city ranks 45th worldwide for Quality of Life, placing it among the top 5% of the 1,000 cities assessed.
Oxford Economics highlights low crime rates, strong transport connectivity and access to recreational facilities and green spaces as important advantages. Combined with employment opportunities in high-tech industries, these factors contribute to Eindhoven’s ability to attract international talent and retain residents over the longer term.
The report also points to Eindhoven’s highly skilled and well-paid workforce as a key driver of future economic growth. Continued business expansion is expected to create additional employment opportunities, reinforcing the region’s attractiveness to professionals and companies.
However, growth also presents challenges. Oxford Economics expects Eindhoven’s population to increase by approximately 28,000 people by 2040, putting additional pressure on housing availability. The report identifies sufficient housing supply as an important condition for sustaining the city’s economic momentum, while noting ongoing public and private investment in housing and infrastructure.
Despite these challenges, Oxford Economics remains positive about Eindhoven’s outlook. With its concentration of high-tech companies, research capabilities and strong quality of life, the city is expected to continue outperforming many of its European peers in the years ahead.
