A new look at the world’s best cities puts Vienna on top, but the top of the charts is dominated by cities in Canada and Australia.
The Global Liveability Indes from Economist Intelligence looked at a variety of quality of life factors in cities around the world, including such issues as stability, health care, culture and environment. The list is for liveability, not necessarily what’s the best place for a tourist to visit. But it’s still instructive.
Vienna was tops, with a score of 98.4 out of 100. Here’s a link to a short item I posted about Vienna recently.
Next on the list was Copenhagen, followed by Melbourne.
Vancouver was the top-rated city in Canada in the number five spot overall, while Calgary was 7th and Toronto 9th. I couldn’t find the top 100 overall so I can’t say where Montreal finished, or if any other Canadian cities got a mention.
Vancouver is always an awesome city to visit. Here’s a story I wrote a couple years ago on an Indigenous tour of Stanley Park.
And here’s a story I did for Yahoo Canada on the top things to do in the city for less than $50.
I also quite enjoy Calgary and had a great trip last year. I’m rather fond of my home city of Toronto, as well.
A great tour of Perth, Australia with “Oh, Hey, W.A.” JIM BYERS PHOTO
Australia’s finish in the Global Liveability Index was perhaps even more impressive than Canada’s, with Sydney placing fourth (they won’t be happy finishing behind Melbourne) and Perth (here’s a story I wrote about Perth and Western Australia) and Adelaide tied for 12th. Auckland, New Zealand was tied for 10th.
Switzerland had two cities in the top eight.
No U.S. cities made the top 13. Also, in case you’re wondering, Damascus (Syria) was rated worst, at 173rd (30.7 points).
THE WORLD’S MOST LIVEABLE CITIES
Here’s the top 12, with total points:
- Vienna, 98.4
- Copenhagen, 98.0
- Melbourne, 97.7
- Sydney, 97.4
- Vancouver, 97.3
- Zurich, 97.1
- Calgary, 96.8
- Geneva, 96.8
- Toronto, 96.5
- Osaka, 96.0
- Auckland, 96.0
- Perth and Adelaide 95.9
I can’t vouch for their methods, but it’s a study that’s been around for some time and appears deeply rooted in science. If nothing else, it’s fun to talk about and get cities bickering with one another.
