The idea of moving abroad is often appealing, whether you want to live somewhere with a better quality of living or simply have an insatiable appetite for travel. But where to start? It may be helpful to examine some concrete data.
Enter the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2024, the latest annual ranking of the best places to live in the world, which scores 173 cities across 30 indicators separated into five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
For the majority of the 2020s, EIU’s rankings were largely driven by the covid pandemic, with lockdowns and social distancing measures affecting scores for culture, education, and healthcare in cities across the world. Several other factors, particularly global conflicts, also play a part.
The 2025 report sees Vienna, which has been crowned the most liveable city in the world for the past three years, slip slightly and give way to one of Europe’s chicest city break destinations. While Western European cities dominate the top of the list, it’s a global effort overall, with inclusions from Australia to Japan. Notably, scores for healthcare, education, and infrastructure all saw marginal improvements on average, with the Middle East and North Africa region registering the most significant gains in overall liveability, thanks to advancements in healthcare and education.
Counting down, here are the 10 best places to live in the world.
Enter the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2024, the latest annual ranking of the best places to live in the world, which scores 173 cities across 30 indicators separated into five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education and infrastructure.
For the majority of the 2020s, EIU’s rankings were largely driven by the covid pandemic, with lockdowns and social distancing measures affecting scores for culture, education, and healthcare in cities across the world. Several other factors, particularly global conflicts, also play a part.
The 2025 report sees Vienna, which has been crowned the most liveable city in the world for the past three years, slip slightly and give way to one of Europe’s chicest city break destinations. While Western European cities dominate the top of the list, it’s a global effort overall, with inclusions from Australia to Japan. Notably, scores for healthcare, education, and infrastructure all saw marginal improvements on average, with the Middle East and North Africa region registering the most significant gains in overall liveability, thanks to advancements in healthcare and education.
Counting down, here are the 10 best places to live in the world.
10. Vancouver, Canada
Overall rating (out of 100): 95.8
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 97.2
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 92.9
Dropping from number seven in 2024 is Vancouver. It’s a perfect mix of natural beauty and sophistication. The city feels cosmopolitan, but it’s still easy to get outdoors within the city limits and embrace that active Northwest lifestyle. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is always a popular attraction, as is Stanley Park (for locals and visitors alike). Most importantly, the people here are so friendly, you’ll feel at home almost immediately.
Overall rating (out of 100): 95.8
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 97.2
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 92.9
Dropping from number seven in 2024 is Vancouver. It’s a perfect mix of natural beauty and sophistication. The city feels cosmopolitan, but it’s still easy to get outdoors within the city limits and embrace that active Northwest lifestyle. The Capilano Suspension Bridge in North Vancouver is always a popular attraction, as is Stanley Park (for locals and visitors alike). Most importantly, the people here are so friendly, you’ll feel at home almost immediately.
9. Adelaide, Australia
Overall rating (out of 100): 95.9
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 91.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
After missing out on a spot in the top ten in 2024, the Australian city of Adelaide storms into ninth place this year thanks to perfect healthcare and education scores. It’s all too often overlooked by sunseeking jetsetters and backpackers in favour of Sydney and Melbourne on the east coast, but things are changing. With its botanical gardens, spectacular beaches and thriving food and cultural scenes, we’re sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear of this Aussie gem.
Overall rating (out of 100): 95.9
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 91.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
After missing out on a spot in the top ten in 2024, the Australian city of Adelaide storms into ninth place this year thanks to perfect healthcare and education scores. It’s all too often overlooked by sunseeking jetsetters and backpackers in favour of Sydney and Melbourne on the east coast, but things are changing. With its botanical gardens, spectacular beaches and thriving food and cultural scenes, we’re sure this isn’t the last we’ll hear of this Aussie gem.
Auckland, New Zealand
7. Auckland, New Zealand (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 96
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 97.9
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 92.9
This Kiwi city shot up into the top 10 for 2024, and we're not surprised. This city offers as much wild nature, staggering beauty and vast landscapes as it does vibrant culture, world-class food and excellent fashion. Auckland scored 100 for its education services yet again in 2025, and just over two marks off a perfect score for culture and environment.
7. Osaka, Japan (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 96
Stability: 100
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 86.8
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
Japan’s third-largest city (after Tokyo and Yokohama), Osaka, is often seen as a hidden gem with the tourism pull of the nation’s capital, but there are plenty of reasons it’s become a destination in its own right. For starters, Osaka is one of the best food cities in all of Japan – must-eat regional specialities include takoyaki (battered, fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (grilled savoury pancakes with a variety of additions). We also love the city for its baseball culture, neon-lit neighbourhoods, and beautiful Osaka Castle.
Overall rating (out of 100): 96
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 97.9
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 92.9
This Kiwi city shot up into the top 10 for 2024, and we're not surprised. This city offers as much wild nature, staggering beauty and vast landscapes as it does vibrant culture, world-class food and excellent fashion. Auckland scored 100 for its education services yet again in 2025, and just over two marks off a perfect score for culture and environment.
7. Osaka, Japan (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 96
Stability: 100
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 86.8
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
Japan’s third-largest city (after Tokyo and Yokohama), Osaka, is often seen as a hidden gem with the tourism pull of the nation’s capital, but there are plenty of reasons it’s become a destination in its own right. For starters, Osaka is one of the best food cities in all of Japan – must-eat regional specialities include takoyaki (battered, fried octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (grilled savoury pancakes with a variety of additions). We also love the city for its baseball culture, neon-lit neighbourhoods, and beautiful Osaka Castle.
Sydney
6. Sydney, Australia
Overall rating (out of 100): 96.6
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 94.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
After dropping a few rankings in 2024, Sydney is back in the game and just outside the top five (the city ranked at number seven last year). From cool neighbourhoods (Chippendale is our favourite) and epic foodie hotspots (we got the low-down from local artist Gabrielle Penfold) to excellent shopping and some of the world’s best ocean pools, it’s not hard to see why this city is an all-round great place to live.
5. Geneva, Switzerland
Overall rating (out of 100): 96.8
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 94.9
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Geneva demonstrates its livability with a perfect healthcare score (it is home to the Red Cross, after all) and high scores for stability and infrastructure. There’s no denying the city’s natural beauty, either – it boasts expansive views of the Alps and Jura Mountains, and, of course, is home to Lake Geneva. With a daily commute that gorgeous, it's no wonder people are eager to move here.
Overall rating (out of 100): 96.6
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 94.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
After dropping a few rankings in 2024, Sydney is back in the game and just outside the top five (the city ranked at number seven last year). From cool neighbourhoods (Chippendale is our favourite) and epic foodie hotspots (we got the low-down from local artist Gabrielle Penfold) to excellent shopping and some of the world’s best ocean pools, it’s not hard to see why this city is an all-round great place to live.
5. Geneva, Switzerland
Overall rating (out of 100): 96.8
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 94.9
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
Despite being one of the most expensive cities in the world, Geneva demonstrates its livability with a perfect healthcare score (it is home to the Red Cross, after all) and high scores for stability and infrastructure. There’s no denying the city’s natural beauty, either – it boasts expansive views of the Alps and Jura Mountains, and, of course, is home to Lake Geneva. With a daily commute that gorgeous, it's no wonder people are eager to move here.
4. Melbourne, Australia
Overall rating (out of 100): 97
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 95.8
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
This city held the number one spot for seven years in a row before dropping five years ago, but efforts have been made to help Melbourne reclaim its position in the rankings. In 2022, it ranked 10th before rising to number three in 2023 and number four in 2024, and then levelling out this year. Melbourne remains one of the most liveable cities in Australia – and the entire world. The city shines with all of Australia’s best traits – sophisticated, stylish, free-spirited – and continues to attract travellers with its world-class art and famed coffee and cuisine.
2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 97.1
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 96.3
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
Overall rating (out of 100): 97
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 95.8
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
This city held the number one spot for seven years in a row before dropping five years ago, but efforts have been made to help Melbourne reclaim its position in the rankings. In 2022, it ranked 10th before rising to number three in 2023 and number four in 2024, and then levelling out this year. Melbourne remains one of the most liveable cities in Australia – and the entire world. The city shines with all of Australia’s best traits – sophisticated, stylish, free-spirited – and continues to attract travellers with its world-class art and famed coffee and cuisine.
2. Zurich, Switzerland (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 97.1
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 96.3
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 96.4
2. Vienna, Austria (tie)
Overall rating (out of 100): 97.1
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 93.5
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 100
After two years at the top, Vienna has fallen to an admirable second place. In addition to 2024 and 2023, Vienna held the crown in 2018 and 2019, but it lost out during the covid years due to pandemic-prompted closures. The city benefits from a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as excellent healthcare and education. Between visiting the opera, touring the gardens at Schönbrunn Palace, and sampling Sachertorte (chocolate torte), you’ll never get bored here. Additionally, the local government invests a significant amount of resources in infrastructure and housing, resulting in a lower cost of living compared to similar European cities. The scores dropped slightly for culture and environment due to its relative lack of major sporting events.
Overall rating (out of 100): 97.1
Stability: 95
Healthcare: 100
Culture & Environment: 93.5
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 100
After two years at the top, Vienna has fallen to an admirable second place. In addition to 2024 and 2023, Vienna held the crown in 2018 and 2019, but it lost out during the covid years due to pandemic-prompted closures. The city benefits from a thriving arts and culture scene, as well as excellent healthcare and education. Between visiting the opera, touring the gardens at Schönbrunn Palace, and sampling Sachertorte (chocolate torte), you’ll never get bored here. Additionally, the local government invests a significant amount of resources in infrastructure and housing, resulting in a lower cost of living compared to similar European cities. The scores dropped slightly for culture and environment due to its relative lack of major sporting events.
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Overall rating (out of 100): 98
Stability: 100
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 95.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 100
It’s no surprise to its admirers that the colourful city of Copenhagen has claimed the title of the most liveable city in the world in 2025. Despite its reputation for churning out cutting-edge restaurants and hotels, Copenhagen retains an ageless charm that makes you want to keep returning. The whimsical, 1800s-era Tivoli Gardens puts all other amusement parks to shame, while the bohemian community of Christiania is a hazy, verdant dreamland. Life in the city may be on the pricier side, but you don’t necessarily need a fat wallet to enjoy it. Public parks and free galleries abound, and the infrastructure makes it one of the most bike-friendly places in the world.
Source: Conde Nast Traveller
Overall rating (out of 100): 98
Stability: 100
Healthcare: 95.8
Culture & Environment: 95.4
Education: 100
Infrastructure: 100
It’s no surprise to its admirers that the colourful city of Copenhagen has claimed the title of the most liveable city in the world in 2025. Despite its reputation for churning out cutting-edge restaurants and hotels, Copenhagen retains an ageless charm that makes you want to keep returning. The whimsical, 1800s-era Tivoli Gardens puts all other amusement parks to shame, while the bohemian community of Christiania is a hazy, verdant dreamland. Life in the city may be on the pricier side, but you don’t necessarily need a fat wallet to enjoy it. Public parks and free galleries abound, and the infrastructure makes it one of the most bike-friendly places in the world.
Source: Conde Nast Traveller
