Copenhagen is the world’s most liveable city in 2025, ousting Vienna from the top spot after three years, as per the recently published Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
With a near-perfect 98.0 mark, Copenhagen scored maximum points on stability, education, and infrastructure – ahead of Western European counterparts Vienna, Zurich, and Geneva
Vienna fell to second position after a decline in its stability score due to safety issues such as a 2024 foiled terror plot.
Western Europe still held court, and Aussie cities (Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide), New Zealand’s Auckland, Japan’s Osaka, and Canada’s Vancouver made up the Top 10
Most notably, no U.S. city ranked in the top 20—Honolulu ranked the highest at 23rd—emphasizing ongoing problems in American cities with social unrest and violent crime.
The biggest fall was experienced in Calgary, which dropped from fifth to eighteenth due to declines in healthcare and stability scores.
In spite of improved healthcare, education, and infrastructure worldwide, cities registered drops in their stability scores amidst continuing geopolitical tensions and civil unrest.
Behind the Global Liveability Index
The EIU assesses 173 cities worldwide on five factors: stability, healthcare, culture & environment, education, and infrastructure.
Stability – indicating levels of crime, terrorism, and civil unrest—has a 25% weighting, followed by healthcare (20%), education (10%), and culture/environment and infrastructure at 25% and 20%, respectively.
Copenhagen topped three categoriesm – stability, education, infrastructure – and ranked highly in healthcare and culture/environment, solidifying its number one ranking.
Top 10 Most Liveable Cities (EIU 2025)
| Rank | City | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen | 98.0 |
| 2 | Vienna | 97.1 |
| 3 | Zurich | 96–97 |
| 4 | Melbourne | 97.0 |
| 5 | Geneva | 96.8 |
| 6 | Sydney | 96.6 |
| 7 | Osaka | 96.0 |
| 8 | Auckland | 96.0 |
| 9 | Adelaide | 95.9 |
| 10 | Vancouver | 95.8 |
Global Trends & Regional Insights
Western Europe takes the lead, with cities leading the way in safety, public services, and urban infrastructure. Increased civil unrest somewhat undermined stability scores in the region.
Asia‑Pacific dominance: Australian cities also did well alongside Osaka and Auckland on the back of strong healthcare, education, and public transport systems.
North America lagging: Not a single U.S. city appeared in the Top 20 because of persistent problems with social unrest and violent crime
Significant movers: Calgary dropped sharply, whereas certain Middle Eastern cities, such as Saudi Arabia’s Al Khobar, ranked higher because of massive investment in healthcare and education.
What It Means for Cities Around the World
Ranking changes highlight the way that public safety and social stability are increasingly essential elements of liveable cities – sometimes more than other strengths such as infrastructure or cultural amenities. The EIU report identifies a larger warning: even top urban hubs need to keep investing in stability and community cohesion.
For policymakers, business leaders, and citizens alike, the report is a reminder that the most livable cities will be those that blend economic opportunity with the well-being of society. They underscore the need for integrated urban strategies that include robust safety nets, strong public institutions, and sustainable infrastructure. With global challenges such as economic disruption and climate change increasing, the most successful cities are those that take a proactive approach to these areas.
