Denmark, Austria, Switzerland, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Canada, Bangladesh, and United States Tourism: How Global Liveability Rankings in 2025 Reflect Shifting Stability and Quality of Life Across Major Cities

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

In the 2025 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Liveability Index, Copenhagen, in Denmark, has dethroned Vienna, claiming the coveted title of the world’s most liveable city. This marks the end of Vienna’s three-year reign at the top, a spot it has held since 2022. The annual rankings, which assess 173 cities globally, offer a comprehensive look at the quality of life in major urban centers by evaluating five crucial factors: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

The results of this year’s Liveability Index reflect shifting global dynamics, particularly in terms of geopolitical stability and security concerns. For the first time in years, Vienna, a city synonymous with safety and culture, has seen a drop in its stability score, which ultimately impacted its overall ranking. In contrast, Copenhagen’s remarkable performance in key categories propelled it into the number one spot, illustrating the increasing importance of stability and infrastructure in defining liveability.

In this article, we’ll explore the key factors behind Copenhagen’s rise to the top, the challenges Vienna now faces, and what the shift in rankings tells us about the broader trends shaping the world’s most liveable cities.

Copenhagen Claims the Top Spot

Copenhagen’s ascent to the number one position can be attributed to its flawless scores in three critical categories: stability, education, and infrastructure. Here’s a closer look at how these factors contributed to its success:

Stability: Copenhagen earned a perfect score of 100 in stability, a category that has become increasingly crucial as cities grapple with political unrest and security threats. The Danish capital’s low crime rate, robust law enforcement, and proactive urban planning have made it a haven for residents seeking peace and safety.Education: The city’s commitment to high-quality education is another key reason behind its rise. With a strong public education system, accessible universities, and an emphasis on lifelong learning, Copenhagen has consistently provided its residents with top-tier educational opportunities.Infrastructure: Copenhagen’s world-class infrastructure, including an efficient public transportation system, cutting-edge green initiatives, and sustainable urban development, has solidified its position as a leader in livability.Vienna’s Decline in the 2025 Liveability Index

Although Vienna continues to shine in several areas, including healthcare, education, and infrastructure, it faced challenges in 2025 that led to a drop in its overall ranking. The primary issue was stability—Vienna’s score fell significantly following a series of high-profile terrorism threats and security scares. Here’s a breakdown of Vienna’s performance:

Healthcare: The Austrian capital retains its high score in healthcare, providing residents with some of the best medical services in the world. Vienna’s healthcare infrastructure has long been a benchmark for other cities.Education and Infrastructure: Similar to Copenhagen, Vienna excels in education and infrastructure. The city’s strong public transportation system, coupled with its excellent schools and universities, continues to make it a top choice for expats and locals alike.Stability: However, Vienna’s stability score saw a significant dip, dropping from near-perfect to a more average rating. This decline was primarily due to the impact of terrorist incidents and a rise in public safety concerns, which, in turn, diminished the city’s overall ranking.

Vienna now shares the second spot with Zurich, another city known for its high quality of life. Both cities boast similar scores across multiple categories, but Zurich has maintained a steadier trajectory in terms of stability.

The Shift in the Global Liveability Landscape

Copenhagen’s rise and Vienna’s decline are part of a broader trend that has seen stability become the most crucial factor in determining a city’s liveability. In recent years, global cities have faced increasing geopolitical tensions, rising crime rates, and the effects of climate change, all of which have affected how safe and comfortable urban centers feel to residents.

Here are some noteworthy trends observed in the 2025 rankings:

Geopolitical instability: Cities in Western Europe and North America are grappling with rising political tensions, civil unrest, and security concerns. While Europe remains the highest-scoring region overall, many cities have seen a decline in their stability scores.Asia-Pacific region: Melbourne continues to lead the Asia-Pacific region, ranking fourth globally. However, cities like Dhaka, Bangladesh, have fallen near the bottom of the rankings, reflecting political instability and economic challenges.North America: Cities in North America, including New York and Los Angeles, saw slight declines in their liveability scores. Issues like healthcare funding cuts in Canada and potential public spending reductions in the U.S. have had an impact on overall city performance.Middle East and Africa: Unfortunately, many cities in the Middle East and Africa continue to score poorly due to political instability and ongoing conflicts. Damascus, Syria, remains the least liveable city in the world, exacerbated by the recent political turmoil following a regime change.The Top 10 Most Liveable Cities of 2025

The 2025 rankings showcase a strong presence of Western European cities and high-performing urban centers from the Asia-Pacific region. Here are the top ten most liveable cities globally:

Copenhagen, DenmarkVienna, AustriaZurich, SwitzerlandMelbourne, AustraliaGeneva, SwitzerlandSydney, AustraliaAdelaide, AustraliaTokyo, JapanAuckland, New ZealandVancouver, Canada

These cities have consistently outperformed others due to their strong healthcare systems, high education standards, well-maintained infrastructure, and most importantly, their stability in an increasingly unstable world.

Global Trends and Future Implications

The 2025 EIU Liveability Index highlights that while many cities remain desirable places to live, the rising challenges of political instability and economic disruptions are making it harder to maintain high standards of living. This shift in the rankings has profound implications for both residents and travelers alike.

Urban safety: Cities need to address the growing concerns surrounding public safety and security to ensure they retain their status as the world’s most liveable places.Sustainable development: As environmental concerns become more urgent, cities like Copenhagen, which lead in sustainability, will set the standard for future urban planning.Healthcare accessibility: A city’s ability to provide high-quality healthcare services is becoming a major differentiator. Access to healthcare will be a decisive factor for cities vying for the title of “most liveable.”Conclusion: A New Era for Global Cities

Copenhagen’s rise to the top spot in the 2025 EIU Liveability Index marks a pivotal moment in the evolving landscape of global urban living. While Vienna’s decline may be temporary, it reflects a larger trend in which stability, safety, and infrastructure are becoming the foremost priorities for both residents and urban planners. As cities worldwide continue to face global challenges, it will be interesting to see how the rankings evolve in the coming years. Will Copenhagen maintain its lead, or will another city rise to challenge its position? Only time will tell.

For now, it’s clear that cities that can offer a blend of high quality of life, political stability, and sustainable living practices will lead the way in defining the future of urban living.