[Photo via VCG]

On September 21, the Global City Talent Retention Index Report 2026 (hereinafter referred to as the Report) was released at the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum. Beijing remains the top-ranked Chinese city overall and ranks fifth among major cities worldwide.

The Report assesses talent retention across 130 cities based on six dimensions: economic foundation, innovation momentum, cultural openness, ecological health, social welfare, and public life. In the 2026 global ranking, New York, London, San Francisco, Paris and Beijing rank among the global top five. Beijing ranks first among Chinese cities on the index and has remained in the global top 10 for seven consecutive years.

Beijing retained first place in the innovation momentum dimension. According to the Report, the city continues to advance its development as an international center for scientific and technological innovation. Continued increases in research investment and output have gradually fostered an innovation ecosystem with global influence. Beijing ranks among the world's leaders in research output, the concentration of top scientists, and the presence of world-leading research institutions.

As highlighted in the Report, San Francisco, Beijing and London are leading global hubs for science and innovation, with well-established and comprehensive innovation systems. Advances in artificial intelligence are amplifying their existing strengths. These cities have maintained high levels of talent retention over the long term, making them leading cities for talent retention in the AI era. Beijing brings together a wide range of innovation actors, including top universities and research institutes, leading companies, and unicorns. With its continuously evolving science and innovation ecosystem, extensive pathways for collaboration and technology transfer among industry, universities and research institutions, and strong support policies for high-level talent, Beijing has considerable appeal to talent from around the world.

(Source: Beijing Daily App)