Each year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) endeavors to address the recurring question that preoccupies many homeowners and travelers – which location truly offers the highest quality of life worldwide?
The much-anticipated Global Liveability Index has now unveiled the answer, with the cities claiming the top positions possibly surprising you.
This ranking evaluates up to 173 cities globally, utilizing various key indicators that encompass each area’s stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
After considering these fundamental categories, cities were assigned an overall score out of 100.
The city that secured the top spot achieved an impressive score of 98, as per the Express.
Copenhagen in Denmark clinched the title for the most desirable place to reside.
According to the EIU, the three areas where Copenhagen attained perfect scores were stability, education, and infrastructure.
It managed to surpass Vienna for the top rank, with a score of 97.1, despite the Austrian capital consistently holding the top position annually since 2022.
The report’s authors emphasize, “Western Europe remains the best-performing region for liveability, achieving top scores in four of the five categories.”
Copenhagen has long been recognized as a premier destination for residents due to its exceptional quality of life, excellent infrastructure, and steadfast commitment to environmental sustainability.
The capital of Denmark offers a thriving environment for maintaining a work-life balance, providing residents with opportunities for improved well-being through easily accessible green spaces, outstanding cuisine, and clean water supplies.
Another region that performed well in the rankings is the Asia-Pacific region, with nine cities securing positions in the top 20.
Notably, this region showcases the broadest spectrum, featuring cities at both the top and bottom of the rankings.
The researchers point out, “Its most liveable city, Melbourne, ranked fourth this year, while its least liveable, Dhaka, ranked 171st.”
Although the U.S. missed out on the global top 20 once again, cities like Honolulu in Hawaii, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Washington fared well in the rankings.
Across the UK, its urban centers did not achieve sufficiently high scores to be considered among the most desirable places to live, attributed to social unrest and rising crime rates.
Nevertheless, several major UK cities, including London, Manchester, and Edinburgh, were featured among the 173 cities. The EIU has observed a significant shift in the rankings due to a global decline in stability, largely driven by increased terrorism threats, civil unrest, housing challenges, and other geopolitical tensions.
The report highlights, “In various West European cities, stability is being undermined by terrorist incidents and threats, along with a growing trend of crime and xenophobia.”
Here are the top 20 cities to live in the world:
1. Copenhagen, Denmark.
2. Vienna, Austria (tie).
2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie).
4. Melbourne, Australia.
5. Geneva, Switzerland.
6. Sydney, Australia.
7. Osaka, Japan (tie).
7. Auckland, New Zealand (tie).
9. Adelaide, Australia.
10. Vancouver, Canada.
11. Luxembourg.
12. Toronto, Canada.
13. Helsinki, Finland.
14. Tokyo, Japan.
15. Perth, Australia.
16. Brisbane, Australia.
17. Frankfurt, Germany.
18. Calgary, Canada.
19. Amsterdam, Netherlands.
20. Wellington, New Zealand.
