LONDON, New York, Tokyo and Paris have kept their places as the world’s most comprehensively attractive cities.

The annual Global Power City Index ranks 44 major cities in terms of their "magnetism" or overall power to attract creative people and enterprises around the world.

London, in the top spot, increased its score from last year thanks to the "undiminished momentum of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games". The capital city showed "overwhelming strength" in interaction between people of different cultures.

Singapore was ranked fifth overall but gained first place for employee life satisfaction. Amsterdam, at number six, was also praised for its high quality of life.

The South Korean metropolis of Seoul came seventh, followed by Berlin, which achieved the top ranking for "livability"; Hong Kong, a leader in economic freedom; and Sydney, Australia, whose excellent air quality came in for praise.