Neither Zurich nor Vienna: This is the most liveable city in the world

Elegant, charming, cosmopolitan and lively, Vienna is in a class all of its own when it comes to Europe’s premier cultural hotspots. It’s easy to see why the Austrian capital, known the world over for its stunning Art Nouveau, Gothic and Baroque architecture as well as its rich musical heritage and cuisine, has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations on the continent.

Record number of tourists visited Vienna in 2024

The City of Music attracted 8.2 million visitors last year - a 10.5 percent increase on 2023 but apart from its allure for tourists, Vienna’s permanent residents enjoy a standard of living that is the envy of the rest of Europe.

For the past three years, Vienna has topped the Global Liveability Index - a ranking of 173 cities, organized by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The index is based on 30 indicators, including: stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure.

However, Vienna has lost it’s crown this year, slipping down a place in the 2025 Global Liveability Index with Copenhagen occupying top spot with a rating of 98.0.

Perfect score for Copenhagen

The Danish capital, home to a population of 667,099, scored top marks of 100 for stability, education and infrastructure, to claim it’s title as the most comfortable city to live in on the planet.

EIU’s deputy industry director Barsali Bhattacharyya, said: “Global liveability has remained flat over the past year, and as in 2024, scores for stability have declined at a global level. Pressure on stability has led Vienna to lose its position as the most liveable city after a three-year stint. As in 2024, stability scores have declined for western Europe and the Middle East and North Africa. In this edition, they have also declined for Asia, amid intensified threats of military conflict for cities in India and Taiwan.”

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