It’s official: Vienna, once celebrated as the most liveable city in the world, has slipped from its throne. After holding the coveted title for three consecutive years, the Austrian capital has been overtaken by Copenhagen, Denmark, which has claimed the number one position in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) annual ranking for 2025. This change reflects ongoing shifts in global dynamics, underscoring the importance of stability, education, and infrastructure in determining a city’s livability score.
Copenhagen’s impressive rise to the top is attributed to its near-perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure. According to the EIU, which analyzed 173 cities worldwide based on a range of factors like healthcare, stability, infrastructure, and environment, Copenhagen’s holistic approach to urban planning and public policies places it ahead of the pack.
In this latest ranking, Vienna finds itself sharing second place with Zurich, Switzerland. This ranking sees Melbourne, Australia, stepping up to position four, while Geneva, also in Switzerland, rounds out the top five. Notably, Sydney has made strides, moving from joint seventh to sixth place. Meanwhile, Osaka and Auckland tie for seventh, and Adelaide represents Australia in ninth, followed by Vancouver in tenth.
But why did Vienna fall from the top spot? Despite maintaining strong scores in various categories, the city witnessed a significant decline in its stability rating, impacted by recent events, including a bomb threat at a Taylor Swift concert that led to its abrupt cancellation. This decline mirrors a broader trend observed globally, where many cities are facing increased pressures related to safety and stability. As Barsali Bhattacharyya, the EIU’s deputy industry director, stated, “Global liveability has remained flat over the past year, and scores for stability have declined at a global level.”
The factors affecting Vienna are not unique to it alone. Calgary’s healthcare score plummeted, dragging it down from fifth place to 18th. Toronto also dropped from 12th to 16th due to healthcare strains, highlighted by long waiting lists and staffing shortages. Bhattacharyya emphasizes that while healthcare pressures are felt globally, Canada stands out due to the sustained impact of these issues.
In the United States, Honolulu emerges as the highest-ranked city, coming in at 23rd place, indicative of a trend where smaller cities often outperform their larger counterparts, like New York or LA, largely due to differing levels of public services. Meanwhile, UK cities such as London, Manchester, and Edinburgh have also experienced declines in their livability ratings, falling behind due to reduced scores in stability linked to recent unrest.
London, for instance, has slipped drastically from 45th to 54th place, with other cities in the UK following suit. This drop correlates with growing societal tensions reflected in recent government policies and public unrest.
Globally, many cities are working to improve their livability. Al Khobar, in Saudi Arabia, improved significantly, climbing 13 places due to substantial investments in healthcare and education as part of its Vision 2030 initiative. Jakarta, Indonesia, also saw a slight improvement, rising from 142nd to 132nd.
Unfortunately, the bottom-tier cities have remained relatively stagnant, with Damascus, Syria continuing to hold the title of least livable city, a position it has maintained amid civil turmoil. Other cities ranked poorly include Tripoli in Libya and Dhaka in Bangladesh, representing regions facing severe stability challenges.
This year’s findings reveal a complex landscape for urban livability. While some cities are on an upward trajectory due to dedicated investments in infrastructure and public services, others are battling setbacks, primarily driven by stability issues. As noted by Bhattacharyya, while there are improvements in categories like healthcare and education, gains are often offset by declines in factors relating to stability.
As we look toward the future, the livability rankings will continue to evolve, influenced by global dynamics, urban policies, and the ongoing challenges cities face. For residents and policymakers, understanding these changes is vital in striving for healthier, safer, and more equitable urban environments worldwide.
Top 10 World’s Most Liveable Cities for 2025:
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Vienna, Austria
- Zurich, Switzerland
- Melbourne, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Sydney, Australia
- Osaka, Japan
- Auckland, New Zealand
- Adelaide, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
The road ahead is undoubtedly challenging, but with strategic planning and community engagement, cities can work towards overcoming current obstacles, striving for a more vibrant and liveable future.
