Article content

Sign In or Create an Account

or View more offersArticle content

Only one Canadian centre made the list of key cities to watch on a global ranking out today — and it wasn’t Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary.

Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, or
tap here to see other videos from our team.Article content

Edmonton, Alberta’s capital and the fifth largest city in Canada, was named by Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index as an “emerging star” in North America, along with Boise, Idaho, Durham, North Carolina, Jacksonville, Florida, and San Antonio, Texas.

Article content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“These cities each have distinct strengths but are united by their productivity-led growth, an ability to move up the value chain, and their increasing strength in attracting innovative businesses and the highest-skilled workers,” said Liam Sides, a director at Oxford Economics, and lead author of the report.

Article contentArticle content

The Oxford Index ranks 1,000 of the world’s major cities by evaluating their economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance.

Article content

New York, London, and Paris topped the index in 2026, followed by Seattle, San Francisco, Dublin, Boston, San Jose, Calif., Tokyo, and Zurich.

Article content

But this year Oxford introduced a new “cities to watch” section that highlights emerging metros that are “forging independent growth paths that key stakeholders and policymakers can no longer afford to ignore.”

Article content

Edmonton made the list because, according to these economists, it is poised for great things over the next decade. One of North American’s fastest-growing urban economies, the city has made strong gains in gross domestic product, employment and population, said the report.

Article content

Story continues below

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

Though it is known for its role in the oil and gas industry, Edmonton is in the process of diversifying its economy to support more sustainable, long-term growth, it said.

Article contentRead More

  1. The global bond blowup is starting to hit home — literally
  2. Canada’s credit rating could be the next casualty in Trump’s trade war
  3. Story continues belowThis advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

“Recent developments — such as the expansion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline to transport more oil from Edmonton to the Port of Vancouver and proposed carbon capture projects by Alberta-based oil producers — suggest the city remains firmly invested in the future of fossil fuels,” said the report.

Article content

“But as the world transitions to more sustainable energy sources, the city is well positioned to leverage its increasing dynamism for long-term growth.”

Article content

As the capital of Alberta and home to the University of Alberta, the city benefits from a strong public sector and research base.

Article content

The economists predict over the next five years the western city’s employment and population will grow at the second fastest rate of any city in the United States and Canada as high-paying jobs in business services and the oil sector attract young workers.

Article content

“Disposable incomes in the city — which are already higher than the national average — are set to rise at one of the fastest rates in Canada, boosting consumer spending,” said the report.