São Paulo is a well-developed commercial hub with a diverse industrial base, flair for innovation, and growing South-South ties that are to its benefit.

City Class Score

Commercial Hubs
Corporate HQs, MNC presence, branded outlets, hotels, manufacturing, start-up ecosystem, transport linkages, population, and income.

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Export Champions
Manufacturing, industrial parks, export share and share change by category, air and port infrastructure, freight time to market, trade agreements, and expert interviews.

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Mobility Connectors
Passenger traffic, flight connectivity, air-cargo flights, port infrastructure, container ship sailings, and major road networks.

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Climate Resilient
Coastal and river flooding, extreme rain, extreme heat and humidity, cyclones, and water scarcity.

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Corporate HQs, MNC presence, branded outlets, hotels, manufacturing, start-up ecosystem, transport linkages, population, and income.

Go to the class information

Manufacturing, industrial parks, export share and share change by category, air and port infrastructure, freight time to market, trade agreements, and expert interviews.

Go to the class information

Passenger traffic, flight connectivity, air-cargo flights, port infrastructure, container ship sailings, and major road networks.

Go to the class information

Coastal and river flooding, extreme rain, extreme heat and humidity, cyclones, and water scarcity.

Go to the class information

São Paulo has it all — bustling streets, soaring highrises, and a treasure trove of cultural delights that include a vibrant live music scene and the São Paulo Museum of Art, an architectural marvel perched on striking red stilts. People-watching in this dynamic city is an attraction in its own right, and there’s no better place to see it all than in Ibirapuera Park, a sprawling 400 acres of lush greenery where locals gather to unwind, juggle footballs, or enjoy openair concerts.

As a commercial hub, São Paulo is set to thrive amid global growth rebalancing, with increasing connectivity to other major emerging markets. During the past two decades, Chinese business activity in the city has steadily risen, serving as just one indicator of evolving South-South connections. Investment from the Middle East in Brazil is also robust. Although São Paulo has benefited less from global supply chain shifts than countries like Mexico or Vietnam, its diverse manufacturing base positions it well to capture a larger share should global trade disruptions accelerate.

The sheer scale of São Paulo is one reason it ranks high as a commercial powerhouse. With a population exceeding 20 million, it stands among the five most populous cities in the world. The city contributes a remarkable 10% of Brazil’s GDP and is home to over 150 listed companies — more than any other city in South America. Flight connectivity to both regional and global destinations is strong, even if it trails behind some aviation hubs in Central America. Nonetheless, São Paulo’s international airport serves more passengers than any other regional competitor, highlighting Brazil’s commercial scale and the city’s significance as a regional business center.

São Paulo’s industrial breadth shares much in common with cities like Bangkok and Istanbul. Financial services, manufacturing, and tourism are all strong, contributing to the city’s importance. São Paulo also has a reputation as a regional innovation powerhouse. It is home to more than 10 unicorns across the fintech, e-commerce, and property technology spaces, and regularly ranks high on global innovation indices. The city also benefits from a stronger climate resiliency profile than some other commercial hubs on our list and is proactive in developing and investing in climate resiliency plans.