Warsaw has placed third in a ranking of the latest “European Cities of the Future 2025” report compiled by Financial Times’s division, fDi Intelligence.  

The Financial Times Report  

The “European Cities and Regions of the Future 2025” ranking, produced by one of the Financial Times divisions, is one of the most prestigious assessments referenced by investors and local governments. The report evaluates cities and regions based on economic, financial, and business strengths, providing a data-driven ranking that compares locations against their peers based on population size. 

A total of 309 European cities were analyzed and categorized into five groups: major, large, mid-sized, small, and micro. Alongside statistical analysis, a judging panel also assessed the FDI strategies of 89 locations that participated in the survey. 

Warsaw 3rd in the “Major Cities” Category  

In the top “major cities” categories, Warsaw moved from fourth in last year’s ranking to third this time, behind London in first and Dublin in second. The capital of Poland also ranked second in two key subcategories – Human Capital & Lifestyle and Business Friendliness – outperforming numerous European competitors.

“The results of the ranking prove that Warsaw is doing well as a regional business capital. Investors appreciate the capital’s assets: the region’s largest market for modern office real estate, well-educated and ambitious professionals, and above all the high quality of life provided by the city’s infrastructure solutions,” noted Rafał Trzaskowski, the mayor of Warsaw.

According to fDi Intelligence, Warsaw has generated more FDI-related jobs than any other European city in the last five years, with major multinational companies such as Google choosing the city as a key location for expansion. The Polish capital has also become a significant hub for software development, with over $1 billion in FDI investments in the industry since 2020. 

The city’s strong economic performance is reflected in its labor market, with an unemployment rate as low as 1.4% as of June 2024, according to Warsaw’s statistical office. This success is attributed to strategic efforts by local authorities to attract and retain top talent from across Poland and abroad. 

Other Polish Cities Stand Out in fDi Intelligence Rankings

Warsaw is not the only Polish city making waves in the fDi Intelligence rankings. Several other Polish cities were recognized for their economic potential and business-friendly environments: 

• Kraków, Poland’s second-largest city, secured third place in the “large cities” category, surpassing major European business hubs. It ranked first in both Human Capital and Lifestyle and Business Friendliness, reinforcing its reputation as a prime location for shared services centers. In 2024, 83% of Kraków’s inward FDI came from Western European investors. 

• Wrocław, known as the “Polish Silicon Valley,” ranked first among “mid-sized cities” due to its rapid technological advancements and high levels of foreign investment in the tech sector. 

• Gliwice placed second for Business Friendliness among “small cities,” while Legnica and Błonie both secured top 10 spots in the “microcities” categories for Cost Effectiveness and Business Friendliness, respectively. 

Discover Why Poland is the Perfect Place to Build Your IT Team

Interested in learning more about Warsaw and Poland’s exciting opportunities? Visit our dedicated page to explore the top reasons why Poland stands out as an ideal location to grow your IT team. From a skilled workforce to a thriving tech ecosystem, discover what makes Poland a leading destination for IT talent.

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