Birmingham beats Prague and Copenhagen to be named one of Europe’s fastest-rising cities - here's how

Birmingham was today (March 11) named one of Europe’s fastest-rising cities.

The new figures released as part of a major study that looks at how much cities are talked about across news and digital platforms.

Each year consultancy ING ranks Europe’s most talked about cities, measuring online mentions from news outlets, digital publications and social media.

The ranking is widely used as a leading indicator of how visible cities are in the online conversation, which in turn is linked to their overall success in attracting tourism, investment, business and prosperity.

This year’s report expanded from 60 to 70 cities Europe-wide, reflecting the fact that more places are generating enough attention to compete than ever before.

Despite that tougher competition – and despite many cities slipping down the table – Birmingham climbed two places, making it one of the ten fastest rising cities overall.

The city now sits ahead of larger capitals such as Prague, and well-known European hubs including Oslo, Copenhagen and Rotterdam.

Major capitals may continue to dominate the very top of the table – with Paris retaining first place – but the strongest momentum came from cities building clearer and more confident stories about themselves.

A city changing its story

ING’s research team says Birmingham’s rise reflects a broader change in how the city is being seen and talked about.

Lucie Murray, Head of Cities at ING, said: “Birmingham’s climb in the ranking reflects a city that’s actively reshaping both its reality and its reputation. Major city‑centre reconfiguration, new public spaces and better‑integrated transport are signalling intent as well as momentum.

“At the same time, Birmingham’s cultural legacy has become more visible. The global tributes following the death of Ozzy Osbourne in 2025 sparked renewed attention on the city’s contribution to music, reminding the world about Birmingham’s global cultural impact.”

The report highlights not just how often cities are mentioned, but where that coverage comes from. Damian Wild, Managing Director at ING, said: “In a crowded online environment, being talked about is one thing. Being talked about in the places people trust is another.

“In a year when competition intensified and many cities fell back, Birmingham moved forward on both counts. After a period caught in the headlines for the wrong reasons, the focus is finally focusing on the city’s many strengths, and rightly so.”