The 21 most influential cities in the world

According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, Boston improved in both economics and innovation since last year. The New England city rose three spots in the rankings.

The Dutch economy was anticipated to grow 2.6% over the course of 2019; Amsterdam moved up two spots in the rankings since 2018.

Home to the Chinese mainland's main financial center, Shanghai is also the world's busiest container port, making it a global hub for all kinds of trade.

This capital sits in the largest country in the world. It continues to increase its global footprint and has the world's most university-sponsored incubators, according to the 2019 Global Cities Index.

It may not be as well known as its American neighbors, but Toronto is a globally important city and has North America's third-largest stock exchange by market capitalization.

Melbourne was ranked as the top place for international students by the 2019 Global Cities Index and continues to lead in environmental performance. 

A major hub for commerce in the Spanish-speaking world, Madrid is Spain's second-largest industrial center. The city scored highly in the business-activity category in the 2019 Global Cities Index.

Berlin still proves to be one of the most influential cities in the world and houses one of the oldest stock exchanges in Germany. 

South Korea's capital continues to hold global importance. It is a major commerce hub and home to major brands, including Samsung.

Politics and bureaucracy dominate the agenda in Belgium's capital, the home of the European Union. Relatively small compared to many major cities, it punches well above its weight thanks to the EU.

According to the rankings, Sydney is the most important city in the southern hemisphere. It is also considered one of the most livable cities in the world. 

Washington, D.C. is home to the United States' most important political institutions. In addition to American institutions like the White House and the Capitol, the city hosts international institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

The capital and political hub of the world's second-largest economy is understandably influential. It is also home to more companies in the Global Fortune 500 than any other city.

Trading defines Chicago's importance as a major international city, with two of the biggest commodity exchanges based there. Agricultural products like wheat, corn, and pork are among the products that are traded on the city's mercantile exchanges.

Home to Hollywood, Los Angeles means showbiz, with movie studios, TV stations, and more. Its West Coast location also makes it a key hub for trade with Asia.

Singapore's container port is one of the world's largest. It is also a major hub for the oil industry.

Formerly controlled by Britain, Hong Kong was handed back to China in 1997. It is one of Asia's biggest financial centers.

In 2018, Bloomberg ranked Japan's sprawling capital the largest city in the world with 37 million people in its metropolitan area.

France's capital is known for its art, architecture, and fashion. According to the 2019 Global Cities Index, it has the most think tanks in the world.

Brexit is likely to marginally diminish London's role as a global center, but for now, it remains the world's second-most-influential city. Home to Europe's financial hub in the city, London is tops the rankings when it comes to transparency. Its ranking remains unchanged from 2018.

It's no surprise that New York City, home of Wall Street and the United Nations, is viewed as the world's most important city. The city has maintained its top spot for the second year in a row.