Copenhagen Tops Global Liveability Rankings in 2025: What Life’s Really Like in the World’s Best Cities

For years, Vienna reigned supreme on the Global Liveability Index, but 2025 saw a surprise shift: Copenhagen now holds the crown.

The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has long measured where life is most comfortable, scoring cities on factors like stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure. While the top cities have remained fairly consistent, this year brought dramatic changes.

Copenhagen’s rise to No. 1 was powered by perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure — an unbeatable trio. Meanwhile, Vienna slipped from the top spot following high-profile safety concerns, including a 2024 Taylor Swift concert cancellation due to a bomb threat, and a recently foiled attack on a train station.

Beyond Vienna and Copenhagen, most top-10 cities remain concentrated in Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, with Osaka standing out as the only Asian entry.

But what’s it really like to live in these global hotspots? We spoke to locals in five of 2025’s highest-ranked cities to get the inside scoop.

Top 10 most liveable cities for 2025:

From Northern Europe to East Asia, the top cities on the 2025 Global Liveability Index aren’t just well-ranked on paper—they offer a high quality of life that residents feel every day. Here’s how five of the world’s best cities measure up, according to the people who live there.

1. Copenhagen, Denmark – The New No. 1

Taking the top spot this year, Copenhagen isn’t just the world’s most liveable city—it also recently ranked as the happiest. The two are deeply connected, as residents benefit from high scores in stability, infrastructure, and environmental quality.

From seamless public transport to clean air and inclusive city planning, Copenhagen proves that good governance and smart design can foster both comfort and contentment.

2. Vienna, Austria – Still a Gold Standard

Though it slipped to second place, Vienna remains a global benchmark for urban living. The Austrian capital earned a perfect score in healthcare, higher than any other city in the index, along with top marks in education and infrastructure.

Residents describe life here as elegant and efficient—where opera houses meet punctual trams, and every corner seems curated for calm.

3. Geneva, Switzerland – Global Quality, Local Charm

Switzerland’s reputation for quality of life is well-earned, and this year both Zurich and Geneva made the top five. But locals say Geneva has a distinct personality.

“Geneva is a well-run city in a well-run country,” says James F. Royal, an American expat and author of Options Trading 101. “It offers the benefits of a big city—music, arts, business—in a cosier, more relaxed environment.”

Nestled by Lake Geneva with views of the Alps, the city blends global sophistication with a village-like atmosphere.

4. Melbourne, Australia – Culture Meets Comfort

Ranked fourth, Melbourne continues to shine with perfect scores in healthcare and education. But it’s the city’s rich culture and green spaces that give it an edge over other Australian contenders like Sydney and Adelaide.

Locals often describe it as Australia’s cultural capital, thanks to its vibrant food scene, festivals, and creative communities—all wrapped in a lifestyle that feels both urban and easygoing.

5. Osaka, Japan – Quietly Exceptional

The only Asian city in the top 10, Osaka comes in at No. 7, with perfect scores in stability, healthcare, and education. It may not have Tokyo’s international buzz, but for residents, that’s part of the appeal.

“Osaka is a very well-developed, very cool city,” says long-time resident Graham Hill, founder of the review site Osaka City. “It’s like San Francisco to Tokyo’s New York—smaller, but with its own unique flavour.”

With a clean, punctual public transit system and less crowding, Osaka offers big-city perks without big-city stress. Hill notes it’s easier to get reservations at top restaurants—and prices are friendlier, too.