This capital was just named the world’s most livable city for its healthcare, stability, quality of life, and more

For the second year in a row, Copenhagen was named the world’s most livable city, followed by Vienna.

Every year, the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Livability Index evaluates living conditions across some of the world’s top cities, considering factors like healthcare, education, and culture, while offering insight into what it’s like to live there.

For the second year in a row, Copenhagen, Denmark, was named the most livable city, with perfect scores in the areas of stability, infrastructure, and education, and high ratings in environment and culture. The European capital is known for its cycling infrastructure, which makes the city easy to navigate on bike or on foot.

Following Copenhagen in the 2026 Global Livability Index was Vienna, Austria, which was also ranked No. 2 in last year’s results. Vienna received perfect scores for healthcare and education, and like Copenhagen, is loved for its walkability and reliable, safe public transportation. 

The two European cities were followed by two Australian metros: Melbourne at No. 3 and Sydney at No. 4. Melbourne received high scores for its culture and environment, while Sydney was recognized for its healthcare and education. 

The other top 10 most livable cities, according to the 2026 Global Livability Index, were situated in Europe, Japan, and Australia, with Vancouver being the only North American city to make the list at No. 9. Four of the 10 cities are located in Europe.

The top 10 list was compiled from 173 cities worldwide. Each was evaluated for its urban livability and resilience, with the report specifically evaluating metros on five factors: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.

The report also showcased the big-picture effects of war and conflict, along with how investments in areas like healthcare can vastly improve a city or region’s livability. 

In the introduction to the report, the Economist Intelligence Unit noted that, “While global livability remains steady overall in 2026, this top-line stability masks diverging regional trends. As the Middle East grapples with declining stability owing to the Iran war, cities across Asia are experiencing notable improvements driven by sustained healthcare investments. From rising scores in Chinese cities to improved stability in North American hubs like New York, the structural factors shaping urban environments are shifting rapidly.”

While the livability in many global cities is being shaped by bigger-picture factors like war and economy, other cities remain firmly among the world’s most livable cities. Here are the 10 most livable cities in 2026:

1. Copenhagen
2. Vienna
3. Melbourne
4. Sydney
5. Zurich
6. Geneva
7. Osaka
8. Adelaide
9. Vancouver
10. Tokyo

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure