In today’s fast-paced world, the quality of life in a city can significantly impact where people choose to live and work. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has meticulously crafted a formula to measure livability, aiding companies in calculating hardship allowances for relocating staff. Their annual survey rates 173 cities across five crucial categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Let’s delve into the highlights of the 2024 Global Livability Index and explore what makes certain cities stand out.
Vienna: The World’s Most Liveable City for the Third Consecutive Year
Once again, Vienna has clinched the title of the world’s most liveable city in 2024, showcasing its exceptional quality of life. The Austrian capital achieved perfect scores in four out of five categories, including stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. However, a slightly lower score of 93.5 in the culture and environment category, attributed to a lack of major sporting events, prevented a perfect overall score. Despite this, Vienna remains a cultural hub, rich in history, music, and art.
European Excellence: Copenhagen, Zurich, and Geneva
Europe continues to dominate the top tier of the liveability index. Copenhagen, Zurich, and Geneva have secured their spots in the top five, each benefiting from their modest population sizes. Smaller cities often enjoy lower crime rates, less traffic congestion, and efficient public transport systems, contributing to their high liveability scores. These cities exemplify the balance between urban convenience and a serene lifestyle.
North America and Asia-Pacific Shine: Calgary, Vancouver, Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka, and Auckland
The top ten list is further enriched by the presence of two Canadian cities, Calgary and Vancouver, and four Asia-Pacific cities, Melbourne, Sydney, Osaka, and Auckland. These cities are renowned for their excellent infrastructure, robust healthcare systems, and vibrant cultural scenes. Their inclusion underscores the global distribution of high liveability, reflecting diverse environments where people can thrive.
The Struggles of War-Torn Cities: Damascus, Kyiv, and Tel Aviv
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Damascus continues to rank as the least liveable city in the world, a position it has held since 2013. The Syrian capital scored a mere 30.7, with a stability score of 20, tying with Karachi for the lowest in the survey. Similarly, Kyiv’s poor stability rating has placed it among the bottom ten cities for the second consecutive year. Tel Aviv also witnessed a significant decline, dropping 20 places to 112th due to the ongoing war in Gaza, affecting its infrastructure and cultural environment scores.
Global Liveability Trends: A Mixed Bag of Progress and Challenges
After the turbulent covid years, the average global liveability score saw a minimal increase of 0.06 points over the past year, compared to a substantial 2.84-point rise in the previous year. Europe faced civil unrest, with French farmers blocking motorways into Paris and widespread protests against immigration policies. Riots in Nouméa, New Caledonia, and campus protests across America, occurring post-survey, signal potential challenges for next year’s index.
The Cost-of-Living Crisis: A Persistent Challenge
Despite inflation rates declining in many countries, the cost-of-living crisis remains a significant concern, particularly affecting housing costs. This economic strain is impacting infrastructure scores, notably in Australia and Canada. While urban living quality is at its highest in over a decade, the benefits are not universally felt.
Conclusion: Navigating the Liveability Landscape
The Economist’s Global Liveability Index provides invaluable insights into the factors that make cities more liveable. As Vienna continues to set the benchmark for urban excellence, other cities can draw lessons from its successes. Meanwhile, addressing stability and infrastructure challenges remains critical for cities striving to improve their liveability scores.
Stay tuned for more data-driven insights and detailed analyses from The Economist’s Graphic detail page. Understanding the dynamics of urban livebility can help individuals, companies, and policymakers make informed decisions for a better future.