Copenhagen tops 2026 Global Livability Index as Cities Pursue Sustainable Growth

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual global livability ranking rated 173 cities on stability, health care, infrastructure, education, culture and environment. Copenhagen, Denmark, claimed the top spot for the second consecutive year, earning perfect scores in stability, infrastructure and education. Vienna fell to second place, while Melbourne, Sydney and Tokyo moved up in the top ten. The report noted regional shifts, with Asian cities improving health‑care scores and Gulf cities slipping due to stability concerns.

Separately, a range of countries are highlighting sustainable‑development projects that aim to make urban areas more resilient. France is creating green parks and rooftop gardens, Norway is advancing electric mobility and energy‑positive buildings, Spain is integrating extensive green infrastructure, Argentina is converting former sites into ecoparks, the United Kingdom is enforcing biodiversity net gain for new developments, and Switzerland is promoting circular‑economy initiatives. These examples illustrate a growing global focus on combining livability with environmental stewardship.