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Copenhagen, Denmark, is the world’s most livable city.
The Danish capital ranked the highest in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index report, a survey of 173 cities. EIU, which publishes the annual report, measures and scores cities on five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. This report compiled data collected between April 14 and May 11, 2025.
Copenhagen received three perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure. Known for its canals, architecture, and bike-friendly culture, the Danish city scored 98.0 out of 100 according to the report’s index.
Western Europe dominated the top five with Vienna, Zurich, and Geneva securing slots. In the Asia-Pacific region, Australian cities including Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide were among the top 10. Auckland, New Zealand, and Osaka, Japan, tied for the No. 7 spot and Vancouver was the highest-ranking North American city, at No. 10.
Vienna dropped to No. 2 after a three-year run at No. 1. Threats to safety resulted in a five-point drop in the city’s stability rankings. Last August, Austrian police halted a large-scale terrorist attack targeting Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour,” which resulted in three canceled shows. The capital also had a bomb threat earlier this year at its busiest rail station.
Even as many cities saw increased scores in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, the trend of global instability and civil unrest resulted in an average livability score of 76.1 out of 100.
“Global liveability has remained flat over the past year, and as in 2024, scores for stability have declined at a global level,” Barsali Bhattacharyya, deputy industry director at EIU, said in a press release announcing the ranking. “As in 2024, stability scores have declined for western Europe and the Middle East and North Africa. In this edition, they have also declined for Asia, amid intensified threats of military conflict for cities in India and Taiwan.”
Stability, measured based on the prevalence of crime, threats of terror, military conflict, and civil unrest, kept all US cities out of the top 20. “The foremost reason is greater incidence of social unrest, often rooted in the country’s racial inequalities, as well as weak gun-control laws that mean crime is often violent and fatal,” the EIU press release said.
Honolulu ranked the highest among US cities at No. 23 and Atlanta at No. 29.
This year’s biggest movers include Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia, up 13 places, and Jakarta, Indonesia, up 10 places. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 investments include education and healthcare, boosting its index score.
Calgary, Canada, had the largest drop, down to No. 18 from No. 5. Worsening healthcare concerns and instability forced Canada’s third-largest city from the top 10.
Here is a list of the 10 most livable cities, including their overall index and five subcategories.
10. Vancouver, Canada
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Index: 95.8
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture and environment: 97.2
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 92.9
9. Adelaide, Australia
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Index: 95.9
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 91.4
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
7. Auckland, New Zealand (tie)
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Index: 96.0
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture and environment: 97.9
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 92.9
7. Osaka, Japan (tie)
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Index: 96.0
Stability: 100.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 86.8
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
6. Sydney, Australia
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Index: 96.6
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 94.4
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
5. Geneva, Switzerland
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Index: 96.8
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 94.9
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
4. Melbourne, Australia
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Index: 97.0
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 95.8
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie)
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Index: 97.1
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 96.3
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 96.4
2. Vienna, Austria (tie)
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Index: 97.1
Stability: 95.0
Healthcare: 100.0
Culture and environment: 93.5
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 100.0
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
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Index: 98.0
Stability: 100.0
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture and environment: 95.4
Education: 100.0
Infrastructure: 100.0
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