Where is the world's most liveable city?

Summary

Melbourne, which held the title of the world’s most livable city for seven years, lost the top spot to Vienna, which scored 99.1% due to its stability and cultural richness. The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities based on stability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture. Factors like natural disasters, conflict, and economic crises heavily impact livability scores, with cities like Caracas and San Juan showing significant declines. While Western Europe and North America dominate the top rankings, mega cities face challenges like congestion and crime that keep them from leading. Overall, the world’s livability improved due to decreased terrorism threats.

Takeaways

• 😀 Melbourne was the most livable city for seven years but lost the top spot to Vienna this year.
• 😀 Vienna scored an almost perfect 99.1% in livability, earning it the top ranking.
• 😀 The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities based on stability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture.
• 😀 Most livable cities are mid-sized, wealthy, and have low population densities.
• 😀 Copenhagen is the only European city in the top 10 besides Vienna.
• 😀 Australia and Canada each have three cities in the top 10, while Japan has two.
• 😀 Western Europe and North America dominate the list of the most livable regions, while the Middle East and Africa are the least livable.
• 😀 Natural disasters, such as Hurricanes Irma and Maria, can negatively affect a city's livability score.
• 😀 Cities in conflict zones, like Damascus, Lagos, and Tripoli, suffer from low livability due to instability.
• 😀 Mega cities like London, Paris, and New York face high crime, congestion, and public transport issues, which prevent them from being in the top rankings.
• 😀 The overall livability of the world improved this year, primarily due to decreased terrorism threats, especially in Western Europe.

Q & A

What city held the title of the most livable city for the past seven years?

Melbourne held the title of the most livable city for the past seven years.

Which city took over the top spot as the most livable city this year?

Vienna took over the top spot as the most livable city this year.

What factors does The Economist Intelligence Unit use to rank cities for livability?

The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities based on stability, education, healthcare, infrastructure, and culture and environment.

What score did Vienna achieve in the livability ranking?

Vienna scored almost a perfect 99.1% in the livability ranking.

What are some characteristics of cities that are typically considered the most livable?

The most livable cities tend to be mid-sized, located in wealthy countries, and have low population densities.

Which regions of the world are home to the most livable cities?

Western Europe and North America are the most livable regions in the world.

What regions of the world tend to have the least livable cities?

The Middle East and Africa tend to have the least livable cities.

How did natural disasters impact the livability ranking of San Juan, Puerto Rico?

Hurricanes Irma and Maria destroyed much of Puerto Rico, causing San Juan to fall in rank more than any other city.

What is a key factor affecting the livability rankings of cities like Damascus, Lagos, and Tripoli?

Conflict is a key factor affecting the low livability rankings of cities like Damascus, Lagos, and Tripoli.

What caused Caracas, Venezuela to become the least livable city in Latin America?

Caracas became the least livable city in Latin America due to the deepening economic crisis and rising authoritarianism in Venezuela.

Why do mega cities like London, Paris, and New York struggle to rank highly in livability?

Mega cities like London, Paris, and New York struggle to rank highly due to high levels of crime, congestion, and public transport problems.

What global trend improved livability this year?

The overall global trend that improved livability this year was the decrease in terrorism threats, especially in Western Europe.

What aspect of Vienna's situation contributed to its rise in the livability rankings?

Vienna's increased stability contributed to its rise in the livability rankings this year.