The Global Liveability Index, published annually by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), is a comprehensive ranking of the world’s most liveable cities. The index measures the liveability of 173 cities across five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The 2024 edition marks the third consecutive year Vienna has been named the world’s most liveable city.

The EIU assigns each city a rating for relative comfort for 30 qualitative and quantitative factors across the five broad categories. Researchers then compile and weigh the scores to provide an overall score from 1 to 100, where 1 is considered intolerable and 100 is considered ideaL. The livability rating is provided both as an overall score and as a score for each category.

The index aims to provide a standardised comparison of the challenges cities face in offering an acceptable living environment for their residents. It is used by city authorities, corporate HR departments, and other organisations to assess the quality of life in different cities and help inform decisions on where to locate staff.

The average score across the 173 cities in EIU’s survey increased to 76.1 out of 100 in 2024, up marginally from the previous year. This rise was driven by improvements in healthcare and education in several developing market cities, which offset declines in infrastructure and stability across several cities in advanced economies. However, risks to stability remain, with the stability category recording the biggest decline out of all five categories. Geopolitical conflicts, civil unrest, and a housing crisis across many surveyed cities have contributed to this decline.

Western Europe has retained its position as the most liveable region in the world, with an average score of 92 out of 100. The region’s 30 cities in this year’s ranking reported top scores for stability, healthcare, culture and environment, and infrastructure. However, the region has seen a slight decline in overall scores due to some deterioration in the stability category. Increasing examplesof disruptive protests and crime in countries like Germany, Ireland, and Belgium have contributed to this decline.

North America is the second-best-performing region for liveability, with the top score for education. The 25 cities on the list score an average of 90.5, a small decline from the previous year. This decline is attributed to infrastructure scores falling in Canada due to an ongoing housing crisis.

Cities from sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa dominated the bottom of the livability rankings. Damascus, Syria, is still rated by far the least comfortable city to live in, with an index score of 30.7 out of 100.

The four cities at the bottom of the list – Lagos, Nigeria; Algiers, Algeria; Tripoli, Libya; and Damascus, Syria – have shown no improvement in their overall scores since the previous year. This highlights the persistent challenges faced by these cities in providing a liveable environment for their residents.

The top 10 liveable cities of 2024 are:

Vienna, Austria: Vienna has been named the world’s most liveable city for the third consecutive year. The Austrian capital scored “perfect” in all but one of the five categories, failing to achieve maximum points only for culture due to a lack of major sporting events. Vienna’s two million residents enjoy stunning architecture, a rich musical legacy, and a high quality of life.

Copenhagen, Denmark: Copenhagen retains its position as the second most liveable city in the world. The Danish capital is known for its commitment to sustainability, with a focus on green spaces, active transportation, and renewable energy. Copenhagen also boasts a strong education system and a vibrant cultural scene.

Zurich, Switzerland: Zurich is the third most liveable city in the 2024 index. The Swiss city is renowned for its high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and efficient public transportation. Zurich also offers a wealth of cultural attractions and easy access to nature, with the Swiss Alps just a short distance away.

Calgary, Canada: Calgary is the fourth most liveable city in the world and the highest-ranked city in North America. The Canadian city is known for its strong economy, low crime rates, and excellent healthcare and education systems. Calgary also offers a high quality of life, with a range of outdoor activities and a vibrant cultural scene.

Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver is the fifth most liveable city in the 2024 index and the second highest-ranked city in North America. The Canadian city is known for its stunning natural setting, with the ocean and mountains providing a backdrop to the city. Vancouver also offers a high standard of living, with a strong economy, excellent healthcare, and a commitment to sustainability.

Geneva, Switzerland: Geneva is the sixth most liveable city in the world and the third highest-ranked city in Switzerland. The Swiss city is known for its high standard of living, excellent healthcare, and strong economy. Geneva also offers a wealth of cultural attractions and easy access to nature, with the Swiss Alps and Lake Geneva providing a stunning setting.

Frankfurt, Germany: Frankfurt is the seventh most liveable city in the 2024 index and the highest-ranked city in Germany. The German city is known for its strong economy, low crime rates, and excellent healthcare and education systems. Frankfurt also offers a high quality of life, with a range of cultural attractions and a vibrant urban environment.

Toronto, Canada: Toronto is the eighth most liveable city in the world and the third highest-ranked city in North America. The Canadian city is known for its diversity, strong economy, and excellent healthcare and education systems. Toronto also offers a high quality of life, with a range of cultural attractions and a vibrant urban environment.

Amsterdam, Netherlands: Amsterdam is the ninth most liveable city in the 2024 index and the highest-ranked city in the Netherlands. The Dutch city is known for its commitment to sustainability, with a focus on active transportation and renewable energy. Amsterdam also offers a wealth of cultural attractions, a strong economy, and a high standard of living.

Osaka, Japan: Osaka is the tenth most liveable city in the world and the highest-ranked city in Asia. The Japanese city is known for its strong economy, low crime rates, and excellent healthcare and education systems. Osaka also offers a high quality of life, with a range of cultural attractions and a vibrant urban environment.

So where are the other Asian cities? Osaka is the only Asian city in the top 10, achieving a score of 96.0. Other than Osaka, here are the top 10 Asian cities that are known to be liveable.

Tokyo, Japan: Tokyo has a global rank of 14, making it the second-most liveable city in Asia. With a score of 93.7, Tokyo remains a major global city known for its robust public services, safety, and healthcare. Despite its high livability, Tokyo has seen a slight decline in its ranking due to challenges such as housing costs and urban congestion. The city’s cultural offerings and efficient infrastructure continue to attract residents and visitors alike.

Singapore: With a global rank of 18 and an Asian rank of 3, Singapore scores 92.9, making it one of the most livable cities in Asia. The city-state excels in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, contributing to its high quality of life. Its multicultural environment, low crime rates, and efficient public transport system make it an attractive destination for expatriates and locals.

Hong Kong: The city of Hong Kong ranks 50 in the global index and number 4 in Asia with a score of 82.6. The city is known for its vibrant economy and cultural diversity. However, it faces challenges related to political stability and housing affordability, which have impacted its livability in recent years. Despite these issues, Hong Kong remains a significant financial hub with a unique blend of East and West.

Seoul, South Korea: With a score of 80.8, Seoul has a global rank of 54 and is the fifth-best city to live in Asia. Seoul’s score reflects its strengths in healthcare and education. The city is known for its rich history, modern infrastructure, and vibrant culture. However, challenges such as air quality and high living costs have affected its overall ranking, despite its appeal as a global city.

Taipei, Taiwan: Known for its friendly atmosphere and efficient public services, Taipei with a score of 80.1 has a global rank of 57 and an Asian rank of 6. The city offers a high standard of living with excellent healthcare and education systems. Its cultural vibrancy and culinary scene are significant draws for residents and tourists alike.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: A global rank of 61 and Asia’s seventh-best city to live in, Kuala Lumpur scores 78.9. The city is recognised for its diverse culture and relatively low cost of living. The city has made strides in improving infrastructure and public services, contributing to its livability. However, challenges such as traffic congestion and air quality remain.

Beijing, China: The Chinese capital is ranked number 8 in Asia with a global rank of 77. Beijing scores 76.2, and is recognised for its historical and cultural significance. The city offers a high standard of living with good healthcare and education. However, challenges such as air pollution and traffic congestion impact its overall livability, despite its status as a major global city.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: With a global rank of 126, Ho Chi Minh City scores 66.7 and is ranked 9 within Asia. Known for its vibrant economy and cultural diversity, the city is undergoing rapid development, which presents both opportunities and challenges in terms of infrastructure and livability. Despite these issues, it remains a popular destination for expatriates.

Hanoi, Vietnam: Hanoi scores 66.5, reflecting its historical significance and rapid urban development. With a global rank of 129, Asia’s tenth-best city offers a unique blend of culture and modernity, though it faces challenges related to infrastructure and pollution. Its affordable living costs attract many expatriates and locals.

No Indian cities are listed in the 2024 Global Liveability Index. While cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, Chennai, and New Delhi are recognised in various national assessments, such as the Ease of Living Index, they do not appear in the EIU’s global ranking. The top-ranked Indian city in the Ease of Living Index for 2024 is Bengaluru, which scored 66.70, making it the most livable city in India but still not making the global list. The absence of Indian cities in the Global Liveability Index highlights ongoing challenges in urban living conditions, despite improvements in some areas.

The 2024 Global Liveability Index highlights the ongoing challenges and opportunities facing cities around the world. While the average score has risen slightly, risks to stability remain, with geopolitical conflicts, civil unrest, and housing crises contributing to declines in some cities.

Western Europe and North America continue to dominate the top of the rankings, with cities in these regions offering a high standard of living and a range of amenities. However, cities in the Middle East and North Africa continue to struggle, with Damascus, Syria, rated as the least liveable city in the world.

As cities face new challenges such as climate change and rapid urbanisation, the Global Liveability Index will continue to be an important tool for assessing the quality of life in different cities and informing decisions on where to live and work. By understanding the factors that contribute to a city’s liveability, policymakers and urban planners can work to create more liveable and sustainable cities for the future.