Big surprises in the world’s most liveable cities

London, we have to discuss: Why the capital’s now not a high place to reside

When you really feel like London’s misplaced a little bit of its shine currently, it’s not simply the climate speaking. This yr’s International Liveability Index, that annual big-deal survey from the Economist Intelligence Unit, has delivered a fairly bruising verdict for the UK’s capital. London has formally taken a nosedive, dropping 9 spots to land at 54th out of 173 cities worldwide. Ouch.

Now, earlier than anybody will get in a huff, let’s put this in perspective. London continues to be a vibrant, world-class metropolis—bursting with tradition, meals, and issues to do. However this yr, the “liveability” rating has a number of sharp reminders about what actually makes metropolis life good, and the place issues can go pear-shaped quick.

The index is fairly thorough—consider it because the Olympics of metropolis residing. They take a look at stability (how protected you are feeling, crime ranges, and whether or not you possibly can sleep via the night time with out sirens), healthcare (not simply the NHS, however every thing from A&E to the native chemist), tradition and atmosphere (that’s your galleries, nightlife, air high quality, parks), training (are the colleges any good?), and infrastructure (the state of your Tube line and if the bins get collected). Cities are scored in every class, starting from “acceptable” all the best way all the way down to “insupportable.”

So what’s gone improper for London this yr? The primary perpetrator is a dip in “stability.” After a string of disturbances—most notably, the UK-wide riots final yr and a heartbreaking assault on a kids’s centre in Southport—London, Manchester, and Edinburgh have all misplaced factors. And when cities like Hong Kong, Miami, and Milan are on the up, there’s not a lot margin for error.

However let’s be clear: London nonetheless boasts an total rating of 89.2 out of 100, placing it within the “very excessive liveability” bracket. There’s nothing dire about life within the Massive Smoke—there are only a few extra bumps within the street than there was once.

A brand new star: How Copenhagen stole Vienna’s crown because the World’s greatest metropolis

Whereas London’s licking its wounds, over in Scandinavia, Copenhagen is popping the Champagne. Denmark’s capital has simply been named the world’s most habitable metropolis for 2025, breaking Vienna’s three-year successful streak.

What’s Copenhagen’s secret? In line with the EIU, it’s a metropolis firing on all cylinders: good scores for stability (no riots right here), training, and infrastructure. Every thing simply works—from the cycle lanes to the colleges and the famously smooth-running metro. Vienna’s drop wasn’t due to main failings, however quite a pointy decline in stability, partly due to a bomb risk at a Taylor Swift live performance, of all issues.

Right here’s how the highest 10 shakes out for 2025:

1. Copenhagen, Denmark
2. Vienna, Austria
3. Zurich, Switzerland (joint second)
4. Melbourne, Australia
5. Geneva, Switzerland
6. Sydney, Australia
7. Osaka, Japan
8. Auckland, New Zealand (joint seventh)
9. Adelaide, Australia
10. Vancouver, Canada

You’ll discover the heavy European and Antipodean (that’s Australia and New Zealand) presence on the high. These are cities that handle to supply nice healthcare, robust training, and a steady, protected atmosphere—all with respectable public transport and, let’s be trustworthy, fairly good espresso.

Why are some cities falling and others climbing the rankings?

But it surely’s not simply London and Vienna having a wobble. There’s a wider story right here. The EIU’s specialists say that stability has slipped nearly in every single place—Europe, North Africa, the Center East, and even elements of Asia. Meaning extra protests, political drama, and the odd little bit of avenue chaos than we’ve seen for some time.

Even Canada, usually the darling of those lists, has seen massive cities tumble. Calgary, which was within the world high 5 final yr, now finds itself down in 18th. The rationale? Lengthy hospital ready occasions and workers shortages. Toronto’s additionally slipped, dropping from twelfth to sixteenth. It’s the knock-on impact of COVID, squeezed public providers, and the problem in getting sufficient nurses and medical doctors.

In the meantime, some cities are climbing the rankings at pace. Saudi Arabia’s Al Khobar has leapt up 13 spots, due to main funding in healthcare and training (a part of the nation’s formidable Imaginative and prescient 2030 plan to modernise and diversify). Jakarta in Indonesia has additionally jumped 10 locations, primarily because of enhancements in safety and fewer avenue unrest.

Nonetheless, not every thing modifications. On the very backside, you’ll nonetheless discover Damascus, Syria—nonetheless the world’s least habitable metropolis after years of battle and instability. Tripoli in Libya, Dhaka in Bangladesh, Karachi in Pakistan, and Algiers in Algeria spherical out the 5 least engaging cities for residents.

How do US, Australian and world cities rank in 2025?

Honolulu is available in because the highest-ranking American metropolis, means forward of New York or LA. The specialists say that, particularly within the US, smaller or medium-sized cities are inclined to do higher today, largely as a result of the mega-cities are fighting public providers and infrastructure woes.

Australia and New Zealand are punching nicely above their weight, with Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, and Auckland all making the highest 10. It’s proof that life actually is best by the seaside—offered you don’t thoughts the occasional spider.

So, must you be packing your luggage for Copenhagen?

Not essentially. These rankings are helpful, however they don’t inform the entire story. London, for instance, nonetheless tops different prestigious world lists and stays a magnet for expertise, funding, and creativity. It’s the one metropolis on earth the place you possibly can have dim sum in Chinatown, hearken to free jazz in Soho, and end your night time with one of the best curry exterior India—all earlier than hopping on an evening bus residence.

However the liveability rankings do matter. They spotlight the issues that actually have an effect on day-to-day life: protected streets, respectable healthcare, inexperienced parks, good faculties, dependable trains. Cities on the high are sometimes those who quietly put money into this stuff yr after yr, even when it doesn’t make headlines.

The truth that cities can fall as shortly as they rise is a warning, although—resting in your laurels isn’t an choice. London, Manchester, Edinburgh and loads of different city giants now face an actual problem: repair the cracks, maintain individuals feeling protected and taken care of, and keep engaging not simply to vacationers, however to the households and employees who name them residence.