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In a dramatic shift at the top of global liveability rankings, Copenhagen, Denmark, has taken over the #1 spot, ending Vienna’s three-year reign as the world’s most livable city, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) 2025 Global Liveability Index.
Top Ranked Cities for 2025
Here are the top 10 most livable cities in 2025.
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 2 (tie) | Vienna | Austria |
| 2 (tie) | Zurich | Switzerland |
| 4 | Melbourne | Australia |
| 5 | Geneva | Switzerland |
| 6 | Sydney | Australia |
| 7 (tie) | Osaka | Japan |
| 7 (tie) | Auckland | New Zealand |
| 9 | Adelaide | Australia |
| 10 | Vancouver | Canada |
What Makes Copenhagen #1
Copenhagen’s victory was driven by nearly perfect scores in several key categories:
- Stability, education, and infrastructure — it earned top marks in all three.
- Strong performance across healthcare and environment, though a bit behind in some sub-categories compared to its strengths.
Why Vienna Was Pushed Off the Top
Vienna remains extraordinarily strong in many respects — excellent healthcare, education, culture, public services — but its ranking dropped slightly, notably due to deterioration in “stability”. Specific incidents, including a bomb threat around a large public event, affected perceptions of public safety.
Regional Trends & Notable Shifts
- Australia continues to shine. Three Australian cities (Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide) remain or return in the top 10.
- Asia-Pacific is represented by Osaka (Japan) and Auckland (New Zealand). Osaka is the only city from Asia in the top ten this year.
- North America has only one city in the top 10: Vancouver. Many other large U.S. cities fall much further down in the rankings.
- Switzerland continues its high performance, with both Zurich and Geneva in the top 5.
What These Rankings Measure
The EIU liveability index rates cities on five main criteria:
- Stability (crime, threats, social unrest)
- Healthcare (availability, quality)
- Culture & environment (green space, climate, cultural access)
- Education (quality and access to schooling)
- Infrastructure (transport, housing, utilities)
Big Picture: Why It Matters
- These rankings reflect more than just prestige. They influence migration, investment, and policy priorities as cities try to attract talent, businesses, and residents.
- Stability is now under more pressure globally—unrest, threats, even isolated incidents make a noticeable difference.
- Infrastructure, green planning, and public services remain essentials. Cities that slack in delivering these see drops even if they have strengths elsewhere.
What to Watch Next
- Whether Copenhagen can hold onto #1. As global challenges like climate change, social inequality, and geopolitical instability grow, each could hurt liveability scores.
- How other Asian cities might climb. If infrastructure and stability improve, some may break into the top 10.
- The U.S. and Latin America: big potential but often held back by safety, health-system stress, or infrastructure underinvestment.
- hector pascua/picture:
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