The Global Liveability Index 2023, recently released by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), offers valuable insights into the most livable cities worldwide. This annual ranking assesses various factors that contribute to the quality of life in a city, including stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Join us as we delve into the top ten most livable cities in 2023 and explore the key categories considered during the evaluation process. Let’s uncover which cities provide the best environments for living and working.
The Top Ten Most Livable Cities in 2023
- Vienna, Austria: Retaining its position as the most livable city for the second consecutive year, Vienna excels in stability, healthcare, and infrastructure.
- Copenhagen, Denmark: Ranking second, Copenhagen offers an excellent quality of life, boasting efficient services, high stability, and a strong commitment to the environment.
- Melbourne, Australia: Climbing the rankings to secure the third spot, Melbourne impresses with its vibrant cultural scene, high-quality education, and business-friendly atmosphere.
- Sydney, Australia: Making a move up the leaderboard to fourth place, Sydney entices with its captivating blend of urban life and natural beauty, accompanied by a state-of-the-art healthcare system.
- Vancouver, Canada: Occupying fifth place, Vancouver stands out for its pristine environment, exceptional education system, and unwavering dedication to sustainability.
- Zurich, Switzerland: As one of Switzerland’s most livable cities, Zurich claims the sixth position, renowned for its excellence in finance, education, and infrastructure.
- Calgary, Canada: Calgary represents the second Canadian city in the top ten, earning its place through economic stability, quality healthcare, and education opportunities.
- Geneva, Switzerland: Another Swiss city on the list, Geneva offers a remarkable quality of life with its cosmopolitan culture, political stability, and outstanding healthcare.
- Osaka, Japan: Securing the ninth spot, Osaka shines with its vibrant culture, modern infrastructure, and high-quality education system.
- Auckland, New Zealand: Tied with Osaka for tenth place, Auckland captivates with its breathtaking natural beauty, vibrant arts scene, and excellent educational opportunities.
The Categories Considered in the Evaluation
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index evaluates cities based on more than 30 indicators across five primary categories:
1. Stability
The stability category encompasses factors such as crime rates, terrorism, and civil unrest. Cities that provide a safe and secure environment receive higher scores in this category, contributing to their overall livability.
2. Healthcare
The healthcare category assesses the quality of health services and the availability of healthcare facilities. Cities with advanced and well-developed healthcare systems attain higher scores in this category, ensuring the well-being of their residents.
3. Culture and Environment
The culture and environment category incorporates elements such as climate, corruption levels, and social or religious restrictions. Cities that offer a rich cultural landscape, a sustainable environment, and low levels of corruption receive higher scores in this category, enhancing the overall livability of the city.
4. Education
The education category evaluates the quality of education and the availability of international schools. Cities with a high-quality education system and a diverse range of learning opportunities receive higher scores in this category, nurturing the intellectual growth of their inhabitants.
5. Infrastructure
The infrastructure category considers factors such as public transportation, housing availability, and telecommunications quality. Cities with well-developed infrastructure and efficient services achieve higher scores in this category, facilitating the smooth functioning of day-to-day life for their residents.
The Evolution of Rankings Over Time
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index rankings reflect how cities have undergone significant changes over the years.
A notable example is Melbourne, Australia, which held the title of the world’s most livable city for seven consecutive years, from 2011 to 2017. However, in 2022, Melbourne dropped to the eighth position. Surprisingly, in 2023, the city experienced a significant leap, reclaiming the fourth spot.
Vienna, Austria, maintains its reign as the world’s most livable city for the second year in a row, having also secured the top position in 2018 and 2019.
In 2021, Auckland, New Zealand, claimed the title of the most livable city. However, in 2023, Auckland shares the tenth spot with Osaka, Japan.
It’s worth noting that Damascus, Syria, ranked as the least livable city out of the 140 assessed in 2018 and 2019, due to the ongoing conflict in the country.
Furthermore, the top ten falls in the rankings for 2023 include several European cities and two US cities: San Diego and Los Angeles.
Conclusion
The Global Liveability Index 2023 by the Economist Intelligence Unit provides valuable insights into the most livable cities in the world. Through a meticulous evaluation process encompassing stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure, this index offers a comprehensive understanding of the factors that contribute to a city’s quality of life. Whether it’s Vienna’s consistency in topping the charts or the remarkable rise of Melbourne, these rankings shed light on the cities that excel in providing conducive environments for living and working.
