Ranking #16 in our overall Prosperity index and #7 for Economic Output, Frankfurt boasts more than 200 banks, including 170 international firms. Most are clustered around Messe Frankfurt, one of the largest convention centres in Europe and #2 in our ranking. Capital is flowing accordingly: by late 2024, foreign investors had announced a multi-billion-euro investment pipeline, outpacing other German markets and fuelling new deals in finance, real assets and digital infrastructure. Diversification is real, from a new insulin plant in Höchst by 2029 to the opening of multiple new data-centre campuses in 2026, cementing Frankfurt as Germany’s cloud gateway. Infrastructure is keeping pace. A new Terminal 3 at Frankfurt Airport will add capacity for up to 25 million more travelers (on top of today’s 70 million) in 2026 and lift its already strong #21 Airports ranking, while 50 new skyscrapers in the works.
The city’s Top 5 Standard of Living ranking proves Frankfurt is sharing its wealth with residents. And double-digit tourism growth from the UK, US and China is coaxed by impressive rankings for both Theatres & Concerts (#19) and Restaurants (#32).