Copenhagen retains top spot in 2026 Global Livability Rankings

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index evaluated 173 cities on stability, health, education, infrastructure and culture‑environment. Copenhagen, Denmark scored a perfect 98 and was ranked the most livable city for the second consecutive year. Vienna, Austria followed with 97 points, while Melbourne and Sydney in Australia, Zurich and Geneva in Switzerland, Osaka and Tokyo in Japan, Adelaide in Australia, and Vancouver in Canada also made the top‑10 list.

The report noted a sharp decline for cities in the Middle East, attributing drops to the regional conflict that began in February 2026 with attacks by Israel, the United States and Iran. Damascus, Syria recorded the lowest score of 32, remaining at the bottom of the index. Turkey’s Istanbul appeared in the mid‑range with a score between 50 and 60, well below the global average of 76.1.

Overall, the index highlights Europe’s dominance in urban livability, while also illustrating how geopolitical instability can impact city rankings.