The Global City Talent Retention Index 2026, made by the Beijing Institute of Talent Development Strategy in collaboration with Springer Nature, is released on Monday during the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Beijing ranked fifth globally in a city talent retention index released on Monday, remaining among the world's top 10 for the seventh consecutive year, according to a report released during the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum.

The Global City Talent Retention Index Report 2026 was jointly released by the Beijing Institute of Talent Development Strategy and Springer Nature. during the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum in Beijing.

The report assessed 130 cities across 47 countries on six dimensions: economic fundamentals, innovation momentum, cultural openness, ecological health, social welfare, and public life. Beijing retained the top position globally in innovation momentum, according to the report. New York topped the overall ranking, followed by London, San Francisco, and Paris. Beijing ranked fifth, followed by Boston, Chicago, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Singapore.

The report said Beijing's performance was supported by its innovation ecosystem, including research output, its concentration of leading scientists, and the presence of major research institutions.

The China-Europe Think Tank Alliance on Talent is inaugurated on Monday in Beijing during the 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Speaking at the forum, Beijing Party Secretary Yin Li said the capital would further improve its environment for talent development and its services for international professionals. Beijing has plans to introduce more measures in talent cultivation and recruitment, support for innovation and entrepreneurship, and daily life services, allowing professionals to focus on research and entrepreneurship, he said.

Yin also called for deeper cooperation among Chinese and European universities, research institutions, and technology companies in climate change, environmental protection, new energy, health, cultural heritage, and artificial intelligence.

The forum also saw the launch of the China-Europe Think Tank Alliance on Talent, which aims to promote longer-term cooperation on talent research, policy consultation, international exchanges, and resource sharing.