Copenhagen Beats Vienna to Become the Most Liveable City in the World in 2025

In a remarkable shift in the global urban landscape, Copenhagen has been named the world’s most liveable city in 2025, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s Global Liveability Index. With an exceptional overall score of 98.0, the Danish capital has dethroned Vienna, which had held the top spot for three consecutive years.

The EIU’s annual report evaluates 173 cities across five critical dimensions: stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education, and infrastructure. Copenhagen stood out by achieving perfect scores (100) in stability, education, and infrastructure—a rare trifecta that made it the clear frontrunner this year.

Thanks to its sustainable urban planning, efficient public systems, and high quality of life, Copenhagen now serves as the new benchmark for modern, liveable cities.

Why Copenhagen Now Ranks #1 in Liveability

With pristine infrastructure, a world-class education system, and top-tier public safety, Copenhagen’s overall score of 98.0 is no surprise. The city also scored an impressive 95.8 in healthcare and 95.4 in culture and environment, reflecting its balance of modern amenities and green urban planning. It’s a city built for both efficiency and happiness—making it a dream for residents, expats, and digital nomads alike.

Vienna, Austria (Image: Canva)

Vienna’s Slip to 2nd: Still Exceptional, But Less Stable

Vienna didn’t go far—it’s still tied for 2nd place with Zurich, each scoring 97.1 overall. The Austrian capital earned full marks in healthcare (100), education (100), and infrastructure (100). However, a drop in stability to 95.0, due to increased terrorism threats and political unrest, cost Vienna its crown. Despite this, Vienna remains a top-tier city admired for its music, architecture, and unbeatable quality of life.

Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in 2025

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

2. Vienna, Austria (tie)

2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie)

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Geneva, Switzerland

6. Sydney, Australia

7. Osaka, Japan (tie)

7. Auckland, New Zealand (tie)

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Vancouver, Canada

Australia Leads the Pack in Liveability

Australia continues to shine in global rankings, with three cities in the top 10—Melbourne (4th), Sydney (6th), and Adelaide (9th). These cities scored high on healthcare, public services, and safety, making the country one of the most liveable destinations worldwide.

Melbourne, Australia (Image: Canva)

Asia-Pacific and Western Europe Dominate the Top Rankings

The top 20 liveable cities are mostly concentrated in Asia-Pacific and Western Europe. Cities like Tokyo (13th), Osaka (7th), and Auckland (7th) highlight Asia-Pacific's growing presence, while Switzerland’s Zurich and Geneva continue to represent Western Europe's high standards in quality of life.

However, Western Europe’s stability rating dipped due to increased incidents of terrorism threats and civil unrest, a trend that might further influence future rankings.

Vancouver, Canada (Image: Canva)

Canada's Vancouver Makes the Cut

Vancouver, the vibrant west coast city of Canada, rounds out the top 10 in the 2025 EIU Global Liveability Index with an impressive overall score of 95.8. Known for its stunning natural beauty and multicultural vibe, Vancouver excels in infrastructure, education, and overall quality of life.

The city earned perfect scores (100) in both education and infrastructure, and a high 97.2 in culture and environment, reflecting its strong commitment to sustainability, public transport, and inclusive urban spaces. Whether you're an expat, student, or traveller, Vancouver continues to be one of the most desirable places to live and work in North America.

Damascus Still Ranks as the Least Liveable City in the World

While many global cities have shown remarkable improvement in liveability, Damascus, Syria remains at the very bottom of the 2025 EIU Global Liveability Index, with a troubling score of just 30.7 out of 100.

Damascus, Syria (Image: Canva)

Despite a dramatic regime change in late 2024, the city continues to be ravaged by the long-term effects of civil war, political instability, poor infrastructure, and severely limited access to quality healthcare. These ongoing issues make daily life in the Syrian capital both challenging and unsafe, contributing to its continued ranking as the least liveable city in the world.

Least Liveable Cities in 2025: The Bottom Five

The cities at the lower end of the spectrum are mostly affected by conflict, inadequate healthcare, unreliable infrastructure, and political unrest. The five lowest-ranked cities for 2025 are:

1. Damascus, Syria
2. Tripoli, Libya
3. Dhaka, Bangladesh
4. Karachi, Pakistan
5. Algiers, Algeria

These cities remain under immense pressure from security concerns, unstable governance, and insufficient public services, underscoring the stark global contrast in urban liveability.

Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia (Image: Canva)

Cities That Dropped or Improved

• Most Improved: Al Khobar (Saudi Arabia), which rose 13 spots thanks to notable enhancements in education and healthcare.
• Biggest Decline: Calgary (Canada) fell from 5th to 18th due to concerns over healthcare funding.
• Notable Declines: UK cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh also saw their rankings drop following a decrease in stability scores.

What This Means for Travellers and Expats

Whether you're considering relocation, long-term travel, or just curious about global city rankings, the EIU’s 2025 list is a valuable resource. The top-ranking cities offer a blend of safety, efficiency, and culture that makes them ideal not just for living—but also for working, studying, and exploring.

Rosenborg Castle in Copenhagen, Denmark (Image: Canva)

The 2025 EIU Global Liveability Index reinforces that urban comfort, safety, and accessibility continue to define where people want to live. With Copenhagen leading the charge and Asia-Pacific cities on the rise, the global liveability map is evolving rapidly.

Whether you’re considering relocation, investment, or just dreaming of a better lifestyle abroad, Copenhagen might just be your next ideal destination.