What's happened
Copenhagen has been ranked the most liveable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 Global Livability Index, surpassing Vienna and Zurich. The ranking considers factors like healthcare, education, and stability, with Copenhagen achieving a near-perfect score of 98 out of 100. Vienna's stability score declined due to recent security concerns.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Copenhagen's Success: Achieving a perfect score in stability, education, and infrastructure, Copenhagen's ranking reflects its robust urban planning and social policies.
- Vienna's Decline: The drop from first to second place highlights the impact of security issues on livability perceptions. Recent terror threats have significantly affected Vienna's stability score.
- Global Trends: The overall stability scores for cities worldwide have declined, indicating growing concerns about safety and security in urban environments.
- Implications for Urban Planning: Smaller cities are increasingly outperforming larger metropolitan areas, suggesting a shift in livability preferences that may influence future urban development strategies.
What the papers say
According to the NY Post, Copenhagen's perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure were pivotal in its ranking. The publication noted that Vienna's stability score dropped due to recent terror threats, which led to its fall from the top position. Similarly, Bloomberg emphasized that security concerns in Vienna, particularly related to a bomb threat at a Taylor Swift concert, significantly impacted its livability score. SBS highlighted that while Copenhagen excelled, cities like Calgary and those in the UK faced declines due to stability issues, illustrating a broader trend affecting urban livability worldwide.
How we got here
The Economist Intelligence Unit ranks cities annually based on various livability factors. This year, Copenhagen's stability and infrastructure scores contributed to its rise, while Vienna's fall was attributed to recent terrorism-related incidents that impacted its stability rating.
Go deeper
- What factors contribute to a city's livability?
- How do other cities rank in the livability index?
- What changes can cities make to improve their livability?
Common question
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What Makes Copenhagen the Most Livable City in the World?
Copenhagen has recently been crowned the most livable city globally, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit's 2025 Global Livability Index. This ranking raises questions about what factors contribute to a city's livability and how other cities measure up. Let's explore the key elements that make a city great and what this means for residents and urban planners alike.
More on these topics
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Copenhagen is the capital and most populous city of Denmark. As of 1 January 2020, the city had a population of 794,128 with 632,340 in Copenhagen Municipality, 104,305 in Frederiksberg Municipality, 42,989 in Tårnby Municipality, and 14,494 in Dragør M
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Vienna is the national capital, largest city, and one of nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's most populous city, with about 1.9 million inhabitants, and its cultural, economic, and political centre.