Source: TE
Context
The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) released the Global Liveability Index 2026, ranking 173 cities worldwide based on the quality of living. Among Indian cities, Delhi ranked the highest.
About the Global Liveability Index
- An annual index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).
- Assesses the liveability of 173 cities across the world.
- The 2026 survey was conducted in May 2026.
Assessment Parameters
The index evaluates cities across five categories:
- Stability
- Healthcare
- Culture & Environment
- Education
- Infrastructure
Key Highlights
Global Rankings
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen | Denmark |
| 2 | Vienna | Austria |
| 3 | Melbourne | Australia |
| 4 | Sydney | Australia |
| 5 | Zurich | Switzerland |
| 6 | Geneva | Switzerland |
| 7 | Osaka | Japan |
| 8 | Adelaide | Australia |
| 9 | Vancouver | Canada |
| 10 | Tokyo | Japan |
India’s Performance
- Delhi ranked 120th globally.
- Overall Score: 48.1
- Highest-ranked Indian city in the index.
Regional Highlights
- Western Europe remained the world’s most liveable region.
- Cities such as Copenhagen, Vienna, Zurich, and Geneva featured among the global top performers.
Bottom Five Cities
| Rank | City | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 173 | Damascus | Syria |
| 172 | Tripoli | Libya |
| 171 | Dhaka | Bangladesh |
| 170 | Karachi | Pakistan |
| 169 | Algiers | Algeria |
Key Findings
- Copenhagen retained the No. 1 position for the second consecutive year.
- It scored a perfect 100 in:
- Stability
- Education
- Infrastructure
- The global average liveability score remained unchanged at 76.1/100 compared to 2025.
