Toulouse confirms its national leadership in terms of attractiveness

Le nouveau palmarès du Baromètre Arthur Loyd, publié le 19 janvier, classe une nouvelle fois Toulouse en première position parmi les très grandes métropoles françaises. Ce résultat confirme la solidité du modèle de développement toulousain qui repose en tout premier lieu sur la qualité de vie, le dynamisme économique, les liens internationaux et les progrès réalisés en matière de transitions environnementales.

A leading player in corporate real estate consultancy, Arthur Loyd produces its annual attractiveness barometer. Recognised by economic stakeholders, this barometer is a comprehensive analytical tool covering 75 statistical indicators, divided into 14 areas and four main themes: economic vitality, business reception and commercial property, connectivity and human capital, and finally, residents’ quality of life. This comprehensive approach enables the attractiveness, resilience and transition potential of national regions to be assessed and compared.

Toulouse back on the podium

In the category of very large metropolitan areas – comprising catchment areas with over one million inhabitants excluding Paris – Toulouse has once again come out on top, widening the gap with comparable cities. This performance is part of a long-term trend: since 2023, the Toulouse metropolitan area has held first place in its category, confirming its ability to maintain, and even enhance, its attractiveness in an increasingly competitive national environment.

A detailed analysis of the rankings highlights the region’s key strengths. Toulouse stands out in the following areas:

Five top-five finishes in the following categories: housing costs, health and safety, higher education, demographic vitality, and the availability of talent and economic resources.
Five second-place finishes on the podiums: international openness, innovation and green transition, local and soft mobility, urban amenities and facilities, and adaptation to environmental changes and climate risks.
A third-place finish in the commercial property market performance category.
And, whilst not on the podium, progress has been made in the following areas: resilience and economic growth, business support and set-up costs, national transport and charging points.

So, with further areas for improvement identified and action plans already underway.

A robust business climate driving employment

Economically speaking, Toulouse boasts a well-structured and resilient ecosystem, driven by sectors of excellence such as aeronautics, space, digital technology, healthcare and other innovative industries. The barometer highlights the robustness of the business climate, the presence of world-class companies and the proportion of jobs in Higher Metropolitan Activities. The momentum in business creation also helps to strengthen the region’s economic vitality and support long-term employment.

Against a national backdrop marked by housing market pressures, Toulouse stands out for its controlled housing costs compared to similar cities. This factor constitutes a competitive advantage that boosts residential appeal and the region’s ability to attract and retain talent and businesses, whilst preserving residents’ quality of life.

Three years on the podium: Toulouse’s sustained performance

Beyond the annual rankings, the Arthur Loyd Barometer highlights the city’s steady progress over the last three years. Toulouse features in the top three in its category across 11 of the 14 criteria analysed, demonstrating the consistency and effectiveness of its regional strategies.

Since 2023, the Arthur Loyd Barometer has highlighted Toulouse’s steady and robust upward trajectory, firmly establishing it as the leading city in its category. Ranked first among the very large cities in 2023, 2024 and 2025, Toulouse is consolidating its position and improving its performance across a wide range of indicators. The city has confirmed its leadership in economic resources, demographic dynamism and talent pool, as well as in higher education and housing costs for the third consecutive year. At the same time, from the top of the rankings, Toulouse has made progress in key areas such as health and safety (+3 places), the environment and climate risks (2nd place, up 2 places), local mobility and soft mobility (2nd place, up 1 place), and the performance of the commercial property market (3rd place, up 1 place), reflecting an overall and balanced improvement in its attractiveness.

Whilst certain indicators, such as innovation and the green transition (2nd place) or resilience and economic growth (3rd place), call for vigilance and ongoing action, the overall analysis confirms the strength of Toulouse’s position, which is based not on a one-off effect but on a sustainable momentum and an ability to make progress in an increasingly competitive environment.

PROVEN LEADERSHIP

Ranked 1st nationally among major cities
2023 – 2024 – 2025.

AMONG THE TOP 3

Toulouse ranks among the best-performing regions across most of the criteria analysed.

KEY PROGRESS OVER THE LAST 3 YEARS

Health & safety
Environment & climate risks
Local transport & sustainable transport
Performance of the commercial property market

PILLARS OF PERFORMANCE (Retaining 1st place)

Ressources économiques
Dynamisme démographique & présence de talents
Enseignement supérieur
Coût du logement (avantage comparatif majeur)

Building on this latest accolade, Toulouse Métropole will continue its efforts to enhance its appeal. Against the backdrop of the economic, environmental and societal transitions we are currently experiencing, the metropolitan area will continue to invest in innovation, transport, business support and quality of life, with the aim of further strengthening its position as a leading region at national, European and international level.

For the third year running, Toulouse Métropole has topped the list of France’s most attractive major cities, according to the Arthur Loyd barometer! I am all the more delighted by this as it is an accolade we share with everyone who contributes to Toulouse’s vitality, whether they work in the business, voluntary, private or public sectors. It is collective action, combined with the proactive nature of public policy, that enables us to maintain this leading position in a reputable ranking based on recognised analytical criteria!
said Jean-Luc Moudenc, Mayor of Toulouse and President of Toulouse Métropole

Toulouse Team, committed to sustainable and shared appeal

This national recognition demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategy to promote the region’s appeal, implemented by the Toulouse Team agency in collaboration with the local authority and all regional partners, with the aim of fostering the development and influence of Toulouse. “Live our life” is the slogan we promote on a daily basis to investors, event and conference organisers, and tourists who come for a day, a week or for good.
added Jean-Claude Dardelet, President of Toulouse Team and Vice-President of Toulouse Métropole.

As part of this drive, Toulouse Team has been committed to a process of continuous improvement since 2023, achieving ISO 20121 certification in early 2025 and ensuring that its activities are aligned with an increasingly responsible and sustainable approach. In 2025, the agency also led, in close collaboration with socio-professional bodies, Toulouse Métropole, the Region, the Department and the CCI, the development of a Sustainable Attractiveness Master Plan (SDAD), setting out a shared and virtuous vision for the region’s attractiveness. In 2026, by becoming a mission-driven company, Toulouse Team firmly established its work in support of the development and influence of Toulouse Métropole, maintaining a constant balance between attractiveness and quality of life. This ambition helps to position Toulouse as an innovative European metropolis with an international outlook.