Here are the best places to live worldwide, evaluated based on healthcare, cultural opportunities, infrastructure, and more.
If the thought of gathering with friends in a coffeehouse, savoring Sacher torte, and spending evenings immersed in concerts, operas, and museums resonates with your ideal lifestyle, you’ll likely find agreement with the 2022 Global Livability Index released by The Economist. For the third time in five years, Vienna has secured the top position on the list of most livable cities.
The Global Livability Index assesses cities each year through the Economist Intelligence Unit of The Economist, ranking them based on over 30 factors grouped into five key categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
The “stability” category, which accounts for 25% of the total score, examines the levels of crime and the risks of military, terrorist, or civil conflicts. Healthcare, constituting 20% of the score, assesses the availability and quality of both public and private health services. Additionally, “culture and environment,” which contributes 25%, looks at climate, weather, social or religious restrictions, and access to consumer goods and sports. The category of education, accounting for 10%, evaluates the availability and quality of public and private schooling, while infrastructure represents the remaining 20%, focusing on housing, energy, telecommunications, roads, and public transport.
Expert analysts and local contributors have rated these indicators to derive a livability score for 173 cities worldwide. Below are the leading cities for living, according to The Economist, along with their respective ratings.
Vienna, Austria
As the capital and largest city of Austria, Vienna boasts a rich cultural tapestry filled with music, theater, wine, vibrant nightlife, and a renowned coffeehouse culture. With a total index score of 99.1 out of 100, the city excelled in stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Denmark’s capital and its most populous city, Copenhagen masterfully blends modern architecture with historical elements, a dynamic restaurant scene, and a vibrant culture with a multitude of museums in the city center. Copenhagen earned an impressive index of 98, achieving perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure.
Zurich, Switzerland
Explore this cosmopolitan city known for its museums, vibrant nightlife, and historic Old Town by enjoying a boat ride along the Limmat river. Zurich boasts a total index score of 96.3, including a perfect score in healthcare and high ratings for culture and infrastructure.
Calgary, Canada
The largest city in Alberta, Calgary, offers a diverse population, rich culture, vibrant nightlife, breathtaking scenery, and year-round outdoor activities. Calgary scored 96.3 with perfect scores in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
Vancouver, Canada
Situated in British Columbia, Vancouver is a contemporary city with stunning mountains, lush forests, and oceans. Recognized as a popular year-round vacation destination, the city recorded a livability index of 96.1, achieving perfect scores in healthcare, education, and cultural opportunities.
Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva is home to the European headquarters of the United Nations, located by Lake Geneva, with the Rhône River flowing through its center. The city scored 95.9, including a perfect score for healthcare and 96.4 for infrastructure.
Frankfurt, Germany
As the largest financial hub in Europe, Frankfurt is situated along the Main river, a tributary of the Rhine, and nestled by the Frankfurt City Forest. The city achieved an index score of 95.7, with perfect scores in infrastructure and healthcare, plus a 96.3 in culture and environment.
Toronto, Canada
Located in Ontario, Toronto stands as Canada’s largest city, boasting a diverse population, a dynamic arts and restaurant scene, and an impressive skyline. The city achieved a total score of 95.4, including perfect scores in education and healthcare.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
The capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned for its picturesque canals, prominent museums, historic architecture, and vibrant nightlife. The city scored 97.2 for culture and environment, achieving a total index of 95.3, with a perfect score in healthcare.
Osaka, Japan
Osaka, a prominent financial center and tourist destination in Japan, showcases diverse cultural offerings, renowned restaurants, and vibrant festivals. The city achieved a total index score of 95.1, including perfect scores in education, healthcare, and stability.
Melbourne, Australia
Melbourne, situated in southeast Australia along the Yarra River, is known for its stunning beaches, dynamic art and music scenes, shopping opportunities, and rich Aboriginal community. With a total index of 95.1, the city earned perfect scores in education and infrastructure, as well as a score of 98.6 in culture and environment.
