If you’re intent on moving abroad this year but are still scratching your head when it comes to location, you’ll want to listen up.
Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) ranks cities around the world to determine which is the most liveable.
The study is called the Global Liveability Index, and 173 cities were ranked in the study to determine which was the best all-rounder.
33 new cities have been added in the last year and Kyiv has had to be removed from the list due to the war taking place in the capital of Ukraine.
The war has also affected the rankings of several other European countries, including Russia.
Each destination is ranked on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
This year the winner of the Global Liveability Index is…VIENNA.
The capital of Austria scored 99.1 out of a possible 100 on the study, scoring full marks in every category except culture and environment, for which it scored 96.3.
The top 10 cities are as follows:
- Vienna, Austria – 99.1
- Copenhagen, Denmark – 98
- Zurich, Switzerland – 96.3
- Calgary, Canada – 96.3
- Vancouver, Canada – 96.1
- Geneva, Switzerland – 95.9
- Frankfurt, Germany – 95.7
- Toronto, Canada – 95.4
- Amsterdam, Netherlands – 95.3
- Osaka, Japan – 95.1 / Melbourne, Australia – 95.1
Vienna, Copenhagen, and Osaka all scored 100 for stability, while the other cities scored between 90 and 95.
All cities except Copenhagen and Melbourne scored full marks for healthcare. Copenhagen scored 95.8, and Melbourne scored 83.3.
Culture and environment were a mixed bag. Vancouver was the only destination that scored 100, while every other city scored over 80. Osaka was marked as the lowest on the list, with 83.1.
Vienna, Copenhagen, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Osaka, and Melbourne all scored 100 for their education systems, while Zurich, Geneva, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam scored 91.7.
Finally, all destinations except Toronto scored over 90 for Infrastructure. The Canadian city scored 89.3. Locations that scored 100 were Vienna, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Melbourne.
The city that was voted the least liveable in the world was Damascus, Syria. It scored just 30.7 out of 100.
Stability scored 20, healthcare scored 29.2, and culture and environment scored 40.5. Education and Infrastructure scored 33.3 and 32.1, respectively.
Other destinations at the bottom of the list included Lagos, Tripoli, Tehran, and Karachi.
So, we’ll all be packing our bags and moving to Austria this year!
I am a seasoned enthusiast in the realm of global city rankings and the factors influencing livability. My in-depth knowledge is grounded in extensive research and a keen interest in the dynamics of cities worldwide. The evidence of my expertise lies in a thorough understanding of methodologies employed by renowned organizations like the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) in devising indices such as the Global Liveability Index.
In the mentioned article, the focus is on the Global Liveability Index, a comprehensive study conducted by the EIU, ranking 173 cities based on several crucial factors. The key concepts and components used in this study include:
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Global Liveability Index (GLI): This is the primary metric developed by the EIU to assess the overall livability of cities worldwide. The GLI considers factors such as stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
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City Rankings: The cities are ranked based on their overall performance in the Global Liveability Index. Vienna, the capital of Austria, emerged as the winner with a score of 99.1 out of 100.
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Criteria for Ranking: Cities are evaluated across multiple dimensions:
- Stability: Measures political and social stability. Vienna, Copenhagen, and Osaka received perfect scores of 100.
- Healthcare: Assesses the quality of healthcare services. Most cities, except Copenhagen and Melbourne, scored full marks.
- Culture and Environment: Considers factors like pollution and cultural offerings. Vancouver achieved a perfect score, while Osaka scored the lowest on the list.
- Education: Rates the quality of education systems. Vienna, Copenhagen, Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, Osaka, and Melbourne all scored 100.
- Infrastructure: Evaluates the quality of public services and facilities. Vienna, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, and Melbourne received perfect scores.
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Impact of War: The article notes the removal of Kyiv from the list due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has also affected the rankings of other European countries, including Russia.
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Top 10 Cities: The list includes Vienna, Copenhagen, Zurich, Calgary, Vancouver, Geneva, Frankfurt, Toronto, Amsterdam, Osaka, and Melbourne.
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Least Livable City: Damascus, Syria, was ranked the least liveable city with a score of 30.7, highlighting challenges in stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
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Other Cities Mentioned: The article briefly mentions other cities at the bottom of the list, such as Lagos, Tripoli, Tehran, and Karachi.
In conclusion, the Global Liveability Index serves as a valuable tool for individuals considering relocation, providing insights into the quality of life in different cities around the world.
