As it does every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has released its Global Liveability Index, ranking the best cities to live in. The EIU compiles this list of 173 cities annually based on five key indicators: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Let’s take a look at the cities that secured a spot in the top 10 for livability.
1. Copenhagen (Denmark)
For the second consecutive year, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, holds the number one spot on the EIU Global Liveability Index. This year, the city achieved perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure. Additionally, it outperformed all other cities in the culture and environment category. Residents naturally enjoy the simple pleasures of everyday life.
Laura Amira Kasem, a resident of Copenhagen, says, “You can cycle to work, swim in the harbor waters after finishing your shift, and then head home for dinner. This isn’t a special occasion; it’s just a Tuesday.”
Laura is an MD and PhD student who has been living in Copenhagen for eight years.
Social bonds in the city are incredibly strong. No one here is under pressure or in a rush. One can easily spend time watching children run and play in open markets and parks. Residents say the city never tries to show off, yet it always lives up to expectations.
2. Vienna (Austria)
Last year, Vienna, the capital of Austria, lost the top spot on the list of the most livable cities to Copenhagen. However, the city managed to retain second place this time, thanks to perfect scores in healthcare and education. A key attraction regarding Vienna’s livability for its residents is the ease of getting around—whether by public transport or on foot.
The daily life of a Viennese resident is reflected in the words of Franziska Hochmullner. An official from the Vienna Tourist Board, she says, “A crucial part of my daily routine is commuting to work along the Ringstrasse. I travel to work on one of the city’s traditional trams. Instead of scrolling through my phone while seated, I love reading a book or simply watching the beautiful buildings pass by outside the window. I enjoy it. It is a small detail that reminds me every day just how extraordinary even the ordinary things in Vienna are.”
3. Melbourne (Australia)
Melbourne, Australia, holds the third spot. The city achieved a top score of 96 in the combined culture and environment index. Melbourne resident Anne Marie Lennon says, “Melbourne is a big city, yet somehow, it feels like a small town.”
Anne Marie, the General Manager of Crown Plaza Carlton, has previously worked in various cities across the UK, Ireland, and Australia. She notes, “People here are genuinely interested in getting to know you. Then there is the culture, food, music, fashion, and art. Each suburb has its own distinct vibe and identity.”
4. Sydney (Australia)
Like Melbourne, another Australian city—Sydney—also features on this list. The city scored full marks for healthcare and education.
However, residents say that easy access to nature, a multicultural population, and the opportunity to enjoy an outdoor lifestyle are what make the city so livable.
Steve Kamper, New South Wales Minister for Jobs and Tourism, said, “Sydney makes life easy. Wherever you are in the city, you are never far from a stunning view—whether it’s the harbour, the Blue Mountains, or the beach.”
Kamper added, “The blend of cultures, the suburbs, the amazing food, and the lifestyle—all of this makes Sydney special. It is a global city, yet it feels like a collection of local communities.”
5 .Zurich (Switzerland)
Although Zurich—which shared second place in 2025—has dropped to fifth place this year, residents say the city’s efficient management and easy access to nature are the foundations of its exceptional quality of life.
Manuela Leonhard, a Zurich local and content creator, said, “You can’t imagine Zurich without its lakes and rivers. Every day, I pass by Lake Zurich, the Limmat River, or the Sihl River and take some time for myself.
“The water here is fresh and clear, and there are over 1,200 drinking-water fountains scattered across the city.”
6. Geneva (Switzerland)
Thanks to its public welfare policies and well-organized infrastructure, Switzerland consistently ranks among the top nations for quality of life. Two Swiss cities have made it into the top 10 list of the best places to live.
Geneva is a clean, safe, and easily navigable city. However, residents feel the city’s atmosphere is distinct from others; it is compact and densely organized. It offers a tranquil environment while possessing all the amenities of a global hub.
Geneva is also one of Switzerland’s most diverse cities, with over 40 percent of its residents born abroad.
James F. Royal, a Geneva resident, notes that the local population benefits from this diversity, enjoying everything from a wide range of cuisines to the opportunity to interact with people from various cultural backgrounds.
7. Osaka (Japan)
Like last year, Osaka has retained the seventh spot on the list of the most livable cities. While not as glitzy as the Japanese capital, Tokyo, Osaka possesses a unique rhythm—a lifestyle cadence that its residents cherish above all else.
8. Adelaide (Australia)
Adelaide is the third Australian city to feature in the top 10 list of most livable cities. It has climbed one spot from last year to reach eighth place; previously, it ranked eleventh. This indicates that the city is steadily improving and becoming increasingly livable.
9. Vancouver (Canada)
Like Adelaide, Vancouver has also moved up one spot compared to last year. It currently ranks ninth on the list of the most livable cities and is the only North American city to feature in the rankings.
10. Tokyo (Japan)
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, has climbed three places this year to enter the top 10 list of the most livable cities. The city’s overall score is 96. It achieved a perfect score of 100 in stability, healthcare, and education. Additionally, it scored 89 in culture and environment, and 93 in infrastructure.
