Copenhagen retains top spot as world’s most liveable city in EIU index

LONDON: Copenhagen has retained its title as the world’s most liveable city in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Index for 2026, the EIU said on Tuesday. The Danish capital scored a perfect 100 in three categories, with Vienna and Melbourne close behind.

The index assessed 173 cities and found the global average liveability score unchanged at 76.1. Regional shifts were marked, driven by changes in stability and healthcare metrics, the report said. Western Europe remained the strongest region with an average score of 91.7, despite a slight decline from last year.

Asia was the most improved region, led by a 0.7-point average rise in healthcare scores. Nineteen Chinese cities recorded notable healthcare upgrades, and Fuzhou climbed seven places to 93rd. Tokyo improved its culture and environment metrics and moved up three places into the top 10. Singapore and Hong Kong held steady at 26th and 44th, respectively.

In the United Kingdom, cities including Manchester, London and Edinburgh stabilised after falling in last year’s rankings amid rioting. In North America, Vancouver was the only city in the top 10, placing ninth. New York posted one of the largest score gains globally, rising by 1.2 points to 66th, a change the EIU attributed to falling crime rates and reduced risks of terrorist attacks.

The Middle East and North Africa saw the largest declines in stability, a trend the report linked to the Iran war. The region’s average score dropped by one point to 61.2. Muscat and Kuwait City recorded the steepest falls, down 14 and 12 places respectively. Tehran entered the bottom 10 at 164th, joining Kyiv, while Damascus remained at the very bottom despite recent healthcare improvements following a regime change in late 2024.

Ana Nicholls, industry director at the EIU, said, "Copenhagen continues to lead our Liveability Index for 2026, with New York achieving one of the largest year-on-year gains of any city. The average liveability score globally is the same as last year because the stability declines in the Middle East and healthcare improvements in Asia offset each other across the 173 cities. Score increases in Asia mean that there are now nine Asian cities in the top 20, alongside seven European cities."

(Compiled)