Overview
- The Economist Intelligence Unit published its 2026 Global Liveability Index on Tuesday and placed Copenhagen first again with a 98/100 score and perfect marks in stability, education and infrastructure.
- The index compares 173 cities using more than 30 measures grouped into five weighted categories: stability (25%), culture and environment (25%), infrastructure (20%), healthcare (20%) and education (10%).
- Security declines in the Gulf and parts of the Middle East drove large falls for cities such as Muscat (down 14 places to 123), Kuwait City (down 12 to 105) and Tehran (to 164), while Damascus remained the lowest-ranked city at 173.
- Improvements in healthcare lifted many Asian cities, producing nine Asian entries in the top 20 and moves into the top ranks for Tokyo and other cities; Vancouver was the only North American city in the top 10 and New York rose to 66 thanks to better stability scores.
- EIU analysts say the global average liveability score stayed flat because the loss of stability in the Middle East was offset by healthcare gains in Asia, and users should note the index measures comparative urban conditions rather than cost of living or individual preferences.