Cities with a youthful population are more likely to be centres of higher education, magnets for skilled migration and catalysts for innovation. Here are seven examples of well-known cities where demographics will be favourable in 10 years’ time.
1. Shenzhen, China 6.0:1*
Immigration will constantly renew Shenzhen’s young population, making it China’s most youthful city. A further 800,000 people will swell its metro community by 2027. Shenzhen is part of the world’s largest city-region, the Pearl River Delta – which in turn is one of the globe’s most important economic regions and manufacturing centres.
2. Dubai, UAE 1.8:1*
Dubai enjoys a strategic position in the Middle East and is a city of superlatives: it boasts the world’s tallest building (Burj Khalifa); the largest mall (The Dubai Mall); massive man-made islands; and huge logistics hubs. Another city built on immigration, it bridges East and West, attracting businesses from a range of European and Middle Eastern markets.
3. Austin, US 1.6:1*
Austin is a diverse, fast-growing university city and a major centre of tech industries, and will remain young because of these attractions. It is ranked as the number one Savills Tech City. Low taxes, favourable real-estate costs and a strong entrepreneurial culture mean the Texan capital maintains a thriving and innovative start-up scene, with access to some of the world’s top talent.
4. Tel Aviv, Israel 1.6:1*
Tel Aviv is another major immigrant city. Vibrant and cosmopolitan, it has risen on the global stage thanks to its young, well-educated population, which has spawned a fast-growing tech sector. One of the first nations to introduce coding in primary schools, Tel Aviv is now reaping the benefits of its home-grown talent.
5. Auckland, NZ 1.5:1*
New Zealand’s population is growing at the fastest rate for 40 years, thanks to record net immigration. A strong employment market has boosted household spending. Auckland is forecast to lead in the next decade as Oceania’s most youthful city. A city of natural harbours surrounded by fertile farmland, it is rated as one of the most liveable places on earth.
6. Edinburgh, UK 1.3:1*
The UK’s most youthful city by 2027 will be Edinburgh. It is a lively and liveable city, attracting human capital partly due to its role as a leader in higher education. It is home to both start-ups and regional HQs, so offers good job prospects. Growth brings challenges around the provision of housing and offices, but costs remain lower than in other European capitals, especially London.
7. Oslo, Norway 1.2:1*
A rising birth rate, longer life expectancy and record immigration has supported population growth in Oslo. It is forecast to be the most youthful city in the Nordic countries by 2027. Following high levels of new development, particularly in the residential sector, the property market is cooling, but long-term demand prospects appear robust.
* Savills Z to X ratio is a forecast of the number of 15-34 year olds (Generation Zs) in a city in 2027, compared with the number of 50-69 year olds (Generation Xs). For example: 1.8:1 equals 18 Gen Zs for every 10 Gen Xs.
