What Is the World's Most Multicultural City? Top Contenders Compared
"Most multicultural" has no single metric—foreign-born %, linguistic diversity, ethnic enclaves, policy frameworks, or lived experience all yield different answers.
Top Contenders by Foreign-Born % (Major Cities, 2020s Data)
| City | Foreign-Born % | Key Communities |
|---|
| Dubai (UAE) | ~85–90% | Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Filipino, Egyptian, Western |
| Toronto (Canada) | ~47–51% | Chinese, Indian, Filipino, Caribbean, Middle Eastern, European |
| Sydney (Australia) | ~43–46% | Chinese, Indian, British, Vietnamese, Lebanese, Filipino |
Los Angeles (USA) — ~39%; Mexican, Salvadoran, Filipino, Korean, Chinese, Armenian, Iranian
London (UK) — ~37–40%; Indian, Polish, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nigerian, Romanian
New York City (USA) — ~36–37%; Dominican, Chinese, Mexican, Jamaican, Guyanese, Ecuadorian, Russian
Singapore — ~28% (non-resident); Chinese, Malay, Indian, Eurasian + large expat
Amsterdam (NL) — ~35%; Surinamese, Turkish, Moroccan, Indonesian, West African
Melbourne (Australia) — ~40%; similar to Sydney, strong Greek, Italian, Vietnamese
Paris (France) — ~20–25% (metro); Algerian, Moroccan, Portuguese, Chinese, Sub-Saharan African
Other Metrics
- Languages spoken: NYC (800+), London (300+), Toronto (200+)
- Policy: Canada (Multiculturalism Act 1988), Australia (multicultural policy), Singapore (CMIO model)
- Integration outcomes: Employment gaps, segregation indices, citizenship rates vary
No Winner
Dubai leads on % foreign-born but lacks political integration. Toronto/NYC/London/Sydney offer deeper civic inclusion. Singapore manages diversity via state policy. Each city's multiculturalism is distinct—comparison flattens complexity.
Wanderlust World