Overview
- The Economist Intelligence Unit published the 2026 Global Liveability Index ranking 173 cities and confirmed Copenhagen as the most liveable city for the second year in a row.
- EIU’s official top 10 are Copenhagen, Vienna, Melbourne, Sydney, Zurich, Geneva, Osaka, Adelaide, Vancouver, and Tokyo, with Vancouver the only North American city in the list.
- Asia’s regional score improved mainly because the EIU upgraded healthcare ratings for many Chinese cities after expanded funding and a new long‑term care insurance system.
- Several Gulf and MENA cities fell after the report recorded lower stability scores tied to the war with Iran, with Muscat dropping 14 places and Kuwait City falling 12 places.
- The index highlights sharp city-level contrasts: New York rose three places to 66th on improved stability, Karachi placed 170th with a score of 43 out of 100, and Damascus remained the least liveable city.