Full List: Why Lagos State Was Ranked 19th Best City, Ahead of Singapore, Miami, And Beijing
Nigeria’s economic hub, Lagos, has been ranked as the 19th best city in the world.
Considering vibrant neighbourhoods, affordable food and drinks, art galleries, museums, live music, theatre, as well as the happiness of its locals and strong community vibes, Time Out, a British media and hospitality company, ranked Lagos above notable cities like Singapore, Miami in the US, Beijing in China, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Aside from Lagos, South Africa’s Cape Town was ranked second, while Accra (44th) made it three African countries in the top 50 list.
Boasting a population of over 20 million people, Lagos is a typical representation of Nigeria’s diversity. The city is made up of virtually all the over 250 ethnicities that constitute the country, with each tribe bringing its own unique culture and food—a homogeneous blend that contributes to the widely spoken ‘Lagos life.’
Time Out mentioned that in compiling the list, city dwellers around the world were asked to describe what it was like to live, work, and play in their hometowns right now.
Regarding what makes Lagos a great city, Time Out remarked:
“Whether you’re a staunch mainlander or from Lekki, there’s something for everyone in Lagos, Africa’s most populous city. Posh Victoria Island continues to deliver a trifecta of swanky resorts, food haunts, and nightlife. Lekki is for the brunchers – make Maple Lagos your first stop. On the mainland, Kuti’s Bistro in Ikeja, owned by the legendary afrobeat family, serves up reliably delicious food and hosts parties, karaoke, and game nights.”
Although Time Out stated that when it comes to the standard of living, 96 percent of locals are happy, and 98 percent of its residents would call Lagos beautiful, a 2023 Global Liveability Index report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) indicated that Lagos was the fourth-worst city to live in worldwide.
See the full list below.
1) New York City, United States
2) Cape Town, South Africa
3) Berlin, Germany
4) London, United Kingdom
5) Madrid, Spain
6) Mexico City, Mexico
7) Liverpool, UK.
8) Tokyo, Japan
9) Rome, Italy
10) Porto, Portugal
11) Paris, France
12) Mumbai, India
13) Lisbon, Portugal
14) Chicago, US
15) Manchester, UK
16) São Paulo, Brazil
17) Los Angeles, US
18) Amsterdam, The Netherlands
19) Lagos, Nigeria
20) Melbourne, Australia
21) Naples, Italy
22) Singapore
23) Miami, US
24) Bangkok, Thailand
25) Lima, Peru
26) Budapest, Hungary
27) Beijing, China
28) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
29) Montreal, Canada
30) Glasgow, UK
31) Sydney, Australia
32) Bueno Aires, Argentina
33) Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
34) Manila, Philippines
35) Seoul, South Korea
36) Hanoi, Vietnam
37) San Francisco, US
38) Barcelona, Spain
39) Abu Dhabi, UAE
40) New Orleans, US
41) Philadelphia, US
42) Austin, US
43) Boston, US
44) Accra, Ghana
45) Marseille, France
46) Taipei, Taiwan
47) Istanbul, Turkey
48) Osaka, Japan
49) Hong Kong, China
50) Vancouver, Canada
