Vienna has been crowned as the best place to live in the world, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2024.
The index ranks cities worldwide based on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
This marks the eighth time in the last decade that Austria’s capital has clinched the top spot, with the only exceptions being 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions. However, it bounced back to win in the years both before and after this period.
With a near-perfect score of 98.4 out of 100, Vienna received full marks in stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It also scored an impressive 93.5 for culture and environment.
As of 2024, Vienna had 2.015 million residents enjoying its high livability and welcomed approximately 8.2 million foreign tourists during the same year.
The city boasts a wealth of attractions, including the historic Schonbrunn Palace, the breathtaking St. Stephen’s Cathedral, and the Hofburg, formerly the heart of the Habsburg empire and now the location of the globally renowned Spanish Riding School.
Furthermore, Vienna is known for its vibrant arts and culture scene, hosting more than 450 balls during the ball season, which peaks in January and February.
However, the EIU didn’t award the city a perfect score in the category if culture and environment (the only one it didn’t achieve 100/100 in) due to its lack of hosting major sporting events compared to other cities on the list.
Hot on Vienna’s heels was Denmark’s capital, Copenhagen, which scored an impressive 98 – even outperforming Vienna in the culture and environment category with a score of 95.4.
Europe dominated the top three spots, with Zurich in Switzerland taking third place. Other nations represented in the rankings included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
2024’s best cities to live in:
- Vienna, Austria (98.4/100)
- Copenhagen, Denmark (98/100)
- Zurich, Switzerland (97.1/100)
- Melbourne, Australia (97/100)
- Calgary, Canada, and Geneva, Switzerland (96.8/100)
- Sydney, Australia and Vancouver, Canada (96.6/100)
- Osaka, Japan, and Auckland, New Zealand (96/100)