Best Job Cities, Post-COVID-19

Budapest ranks 49th on the 'Best Cities for Jobs Index' compiled by FutureLearn to show the post-pandemic job prospects for people in 100 cities around the world.

Topping the list is Singapore, ahead of two northern European cities, Copenhagen and Helsinki. The Hungarian capital is preceded in the ranking by two Eastern European cities, Bratislava (16th) and Tallinn (30th).

Those conducting the study first determined a list of 100 cities around the globe which are renowned for their economic, educational, and aspirational opportunities. Whether a city has a strong economic position is an important indicator of its job opportunities, so, data were collected relating to pre-coronavirus GDP growth rate, as well as the number of new startups, to illustrate if a city is a hub for innovation.

These statistics were then compared with the current unemployment rate versus joblessness this time last year, to help determine the pandemic’s impact on the job market. Next, FutureLearn looked at the government’s response to COVID-19 in terms of the support offered to businesses, such as loans and financial help (to both individuals and companies) and plans set in place to help ailing industries.

This section of the study was complemented with polls asking those in lockdown around the world to rate the adequacy of their government’s response to the crisis, and how the crisis has impacted their employment status.