Vienna is declared the world’s ‘most liveable city’ with Copenhagen and Zurich next best in The Economist’s annual rankings
- The list of cities was dominated by Western European and Canadian cities
- Two cities outside of Europe and Canada made it onto list – Osaka and Melbourne
- The cities that ranked highly had eased their Covid-19 restrictions, authors said
The Austrian capital of Vienna has been ranked as the world’s ‘most liveable city’, while Copenhagen and Zurich followed close behind in The Economist’s annual rankings.
The list was dominated by Western European and Canadian cities, with nine of the top ten spots in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2022 Global Liveability Index.
Only two cities outside of Europe and Canada made it onto the list – Osaka in Japan and Melbourne in Australia. The cities came joint 10th in the annual rankings.
The Economist ranked 172 cities on a variety of factors, including crime rates, health care, political stability, infrastructure and access to green space.
The cities ranked in the top 10 had eased their Covid restrictions – meaning citizens’ lives could go back to normal.
The Economist did not include Kyiv in this year’s rankings due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Putin’s war has also meant Moscow and St Petersburg dropped places due to the ‘increased instability, censorship and the imposition of Western sanctions’.
Here, MailOnline takes a look at the top 10 ‘most liveable cities’.
1. Vienna, Austria
Vienna, home to 1.9 million people, topped the rankings in 2022 as the most liveable city with a score of 99.1 out of 100, as it did in 2019 and 2018
Vienna, home to 1.9 million people, topped the rankings in 2022 as the most liveable city with a score of 99.1 out of 100, as it did in 2019 and 2018.
The city slipped to 12th place in the rankings last year because its museums and restaurants were closed due to the pandemic – but these cultural hubs have since reopened.
Vienna is renowned for the glorious architecture of its imperial past with gilded palaces and decadent opera halls filled with classical music.
In addition to the stunning surroundings, it is known as ‘red Vienna’ for its left-wing tendencies and those who live there can expect good healthcare, stability, cheap public services and abundant social housing.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark
Copenhagen moved up 13 places in this year’s Global Liveability Index with a perfect score for infrastructure, education and stability – and an overall score of 98.
The city has a low crime rate, currently at its lowest in more than a decade, due to Copenhagen’s focus on preventative initiatives.
Denmark became the first European Union country to lift all of its domestic Covid restrictions – meaning those living in the country could go back to life as normal and enjoy cultural events and restaurants again.
Copenhagen moved up 13 places in this year’s Global Liveability Index with a perfect score for infrastructure, education and stability – and an overall score of 98
3. Zurich, Switzerland
Zurich ranked third in the liveability index with a score of 96.3 – largely due to it being a safe and green city, which is also a major financial centre.
The mid-sized city is also extremely wealthy – and the index’s authors said that this combination meant that the city fared ‘exceptionally well’ in the survey.
The city has rebounded since the pandemic on the back of its stability, good infrastructure and services, the Economist said.
Zurich ranked third in the liveability index with a score of 96.3 – largely due to it being a safe and green city, which is also a major financial centre
3. Calgary, Canada
Calgary meanwhile rose from 18th position to joint third position with Zurich with a score of 96.3.
The index’s authors put this massive jump down to the city’s removal of Covid restrictions, which has allowed its citizens to enjoy their daily activities again.
The city scored best due to its citizens’ access to good healthcare, infrastructure and education.
Calgary meanwhile rose from 18th position to joint third position with Zurich with a score of 96.3
5. Vancouver, Canada
Canada saw three of its cities represented in the top 10 most liveable cities – and Vancouver was one of them with a score of 96.1.
‘Cities that were towards the top of our rankings before the pandemic have rebounded on the back of their stability, good infrastructure and services, as well as enjoyable leisure activities,’ the index’s authors wrote.
Perched on the west coast of Canada, Vancouver has the highest population in the country and is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities there – with 50 per cent of residents belonging to minority groups.
Vancouver, one of the greenest cities in the world, is also one of the most expensive cities to live.
Canada saw three of its cities represented in the top 10 most liveable cities – and Vancouver was one of them with a score of 96.1
6. Geneva, Switzerland
Geneva was ranked in sixth place for the most liveable city – with the authors of the index giving the city a perfect score of 100 for its good healthcare and 95.9 overall.
The city is a financial centre and a centre for diplomacy due to it being the headquarters of many UN agencies.
Geneva therefore ranked highly for its stability and infrastructure.
Geneva was ranked in sixth place for the most liveable city – with the authors of the index giving the city a perfect score of 100 for its good healthcare and 95.9 overall
7. Frankfurt, Germany
Frankfurt climbed by an impressive 32 places over 12 months to take seventh place and a score of 95.7 this year in the annual liveability index.
The massive improvement meant Frankfurt was the only city to rank inside the top 10 most liveable cities.
Frankfurt is known for being the financial capital of Germany – but it also has a large number of cultural sites that makes it a good place to live.
Frankfurt climbed by an impressive 32 places over 12 months to take seventh place and a score of 95.7 this year in the annual liveability index
8. Toronto, Canada
Toronto scored 95.4 overall and a perfect score of 100 for its healthcare and infrastructure in the index.
The city has also eased its Covid restrictions, which has meant its 2.93 million citizens are now able to visit the iconic landmarks such as the CN tower and museums.
The city also has diverse neighourhoods, each being a micro cultural hub with different restaurants and parks.
Toronto scored 95.4 overall and a perfect score of 100 for its healthcare and infrastructure in the index
9. Amsterdam, Netherlands
The city of Amsterdam shot up in the rankings from 30th to ninth this year with a score of 95.3 – largely due to the end of Covid restrictions there.
In March, the Dutch government dropped its last remaining Covid restrictions despite a rise in infections, as the nation learns to live with the virus.
The city scored over 90 in each of the five categories – but it scored the best in healthcare with 100 points.
The city of Amsterdam shot up in the rankings from 30th to ninth this year with a score of 95.3 – largely due to the end of Covid restrictions there
10. Osaka, Japan and Melbourne, Australia
The cities of Osaka in Japan and Melbourne in Australia came joint tenth in the index with a score of 95.1.
Melbourne was once again Australia’s highest-ranking city, whilst Osaka was the only Asian city to land in the top 10 this year.
The strong stability and good infrastructure are the main charms of the two cities, supported by good healthcare and opportunities for culture and entertainment.
The easing of Covid restrictions has also meant that citizens are now able to access healthcare, cultural sites and education.
The cities of Osaka in Japan (pictured) and Melbourne in Australia came joint tenth in the index with a score of 95.1
Melbourne (pictured) was once again Australia’s highest-ranking city, whilst Osaka was the only Asian city to land in the top 10 this year
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