Copenhagen most liveable city – that is the headline echoing around the world this week, as Denmark’s capital takes the crown in the newly released 2025 Global Liveability Index. The annual report, published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), evaluated 173 cities using 30 key indicators spread across five essential categories – stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
This year, Copenhagen edged past Vienna, which had dominated the top spot for years. Vienna dropped to a shared second place with Zurich. The EIU gave Copenhagen an impressive overall score of 98 out of 100. The city earned full marks in stability, education, and infrastructure – areas that have long been pillars of Denmark’s public service model.
Copenhagen’s rise to the top did not come overnight. Its success reflects a strong focus on urban sustainability, social balance, and reliable governance. The city offers a high quality of life, clean public transport, low crime levels, and excellent educational institutions. Unlike the rising challenges faced by other cities, Copenhagen continues to provide stability and comfort for both residents and newcomers.
Vienna’s slip in the rankings, meanwhile, was linked to a recent dip in its stability score. Over the past year, the city experienced two high-profile threats – one involving a bomb scare during a Taylor Swift concert and another incident at a train station earlier this year. While Vienna still maintains strong performance across all other areas, the EIU could not ignore these developments in its assessment.
Helsinki claimed the 13th position, making it the only Finnish city to enter the top tier this year. It continues to be one of Europe’s most reliable capitals in terms of healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Its performance underscores Finland’s commitment to building livable communities rooted in equality and public access.
Western Europe held its ground with eight cities in the top 20. Zurich tied with Vienna, Geneva came fifth, and Amsterdam and Frankfurt also made solid appearances. The trend shows Western Europe’s continued dominance in long-term liveability, even amidst global uncertainty.
In the Asia-Pacific region, Melbourne took fourth place, followed by Sydney, Osaka, Auckland, and others. Despite significant cultural and economic differences within the region, nine Asia-Pacific cities reached the top 20. At the bottom of the list in this region was Dhaka, ranked 171st due to political instability and public safety issues.
North America saw mixed performance. Vancouver placed tenth, while Toronto came twelfth. U.S. cities, however, once again missed the top 20. Honolulu ranked highest among American cities, sitting at number 23. Gun violence, social divisions, and unaffordable housing were noted as factors pulling down the scores of major U.S. urban centers.
Calgary, previously in fifth place last year, experienced one of the largest drops, falling to 18th. The report linked this decline to a weakening healthcare system and lower stability scores.
Saudi Arabia’s Al Khobar was among the most improved cities, climbing 13 spots. The city benefited from massive public investment in education and healthcare under the Vision 2030 initiative, reflecting how long-term planning can influence global rankings.
What the Index Tells Us About 2025
The 2025 Global Liveability Index reveals more than just which cities are pleasant to live in. It offers insights into global trends in safety, affordability, governance, and urban planning. While average scores held steady compared to 2024, stability is becoming a growing concern. Geopolitical conflicts, social unrest, and housing challenges are starting to weigh heavily on the world’s top urban centers.
Investors, policymakers, and global citizens alike use this index to understand which cities are setting the pace – and which ones are falling behind. As Copenhagen claims the title this year, it sends a message that consistent investment in people, services, and public safety still pays off.
