Singapore and Beijing have emerged among the world’s most liveable cities for tech workers, according to Savills’ inaugural Matcha Index, which ranks locations by buzz and by the spaces where these employees can work, connect and spark ideas over a hot – or cold – matcha drink.
The index, released on Jan 6, pointed out how cafe culture has become a vital part of the social infrastructure that supports the tech ecosystem, and that matcha lattes have taken over as the “go-to” drink for young professionals.
That shift reflected broader lifestyle trends: matcha was prized for its slow-release energy and perceived health benefits, aligning with tech workers’ growing focus on wellness, according to international real estate adviser Savills.
The cost of a matcha latte varied significantly across the cities in the index. The average cost in Beijing was just US$3.61, compared with US$5.43 in Singapore and US$6.21 in New York.
Even with its premium-priced matcha drinks, Singapore held its own as a top hub for tech workers, thanks to its abundant availability of high-quality cafes and the social connectivity they fostered, the Savills report found.
“Singapore has a vibrant and rich cafe culture,” said Sulian Tan-Wijaya, executive director of retail and lifestyle at Savills Singapore. “Besides the strong presence of established and new coffee chains, our cafe culture has evolved to embrace anything matcha, which you can find in lattes, gelato, cakes and even bubble tea.”
Matcha was also a favourite among health-conscious consumers, she added.
Singapore was also an early adopter of the emerging trend of matcha rave parties – alcohol-free events that combined wellness and nightlife, the Savills study found.
Tokyo, London, Seoul, Toronto, San Francisco and Amsterdam were the six top-ranked cities on the Matcha Index. They were followed by Singapore, Los Angeles, New York, Beijing, Austin and Chicago.
The Savills index showed that Beijing offered some of the cheapest matcha lattes globally, making it accessible to the national capital’s growing tech workforce.
China’s technology industry last year hailed the Beijing municipal government’s strategy to widely apply artificial intelligence to economic and social enterprises amid hopes the move could boost market prospects for local suppliers of chips, servers and AI solutions.
“The Matcha Index reveals a clear pattern: tech cities that successfully blend lifestyle and innovation tend to thrive,” said Charlotte Rushton, an associate in Savills World Research team.
“While the Index may appear playful, it underscores a serious truth: vibrant cafe cultures, whether centred on espresso or matcha, are vital to urban liveability and connectivity.” – South China Morning Post
