Zurich and Geneva have been ranked as the third and sixth most liveable cities on earth, according to the latest Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Both Swiss cities improved their scores from last year, after the end of COVID restrictions allowed businesses and cultural sites to reopen.

The Global Liveability Index 2022

The annual Global Liveability Index ranks 172 cities across the world by their “liveability.” To make the ranking, the EIU gives each city a score out of 100, rating their stability, healthcare system, culture and environment, education system and infrastructure. 

Unlike the previous two years, the ranking in 2022 was not affected by the COVID pandemic. Cities whose hospitals were under great strain and places that were forced to close historical sites and museums during the pandemic have now received a big boost in their score.

European cities now more liveable after the end of COVID rules

This has led to a new winner in the 2022 ranking, with Vienna coming out on top as the most liveable city in the world. The Austrian capital also came first in 2018 and 2019, before the pandemic forced the city's museums and tourist sites to close. Now they are open again, the Viennese have reclaimed the top spot.

Copenhagen was ranked second, moving up 13 places since last year. Once again, this is due to a bounce-back for European destinations after COVID. Across the ranking, previous contenders like Adelaide and Wellington fell back down the order, now that most things in Europe have reopened.

Switzerland has two of the most liveable cities in the world

Zurich gained four places in 2022, earning a place on the podium in joint-third. The EIU gave the city a perfect healthcare score and high ratings for culture, infrastructure and stability. Geneva also improved its score, coming in sixth in 2022. In all, Switzerland had the second-highest number of cities in the top 10, beaten only by Canada with three.

After not even featuring in last year's top 10, the German city of Frankfurt am Main managed to secure seventh place and the Dutch city of Amsterdam also reclaimed its title as one of the world’s most liveable cities.

The 10 most and least liveable cities in 2022

According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, these are the most liveable cities in the world in 2022:

• 1. Vienna, Austria
• 2. Copenhagen, Denmark
• =3. Zurich, Switzerland
• =3. Calgary, Canada
• 5. Vancouver, Canada
• 6. Geneva, Switzerland
• 7. Frankfurt am Main, Germany
• 8. Toronto, Canada
• 9. Amsterdam, The Netherlands
• =10. Osaka, Japan
• =10. Melbourne, Australia

The least liveable cities in 2022 are:

• 163. Tehran, Iran
• 164. Douala, Cameroon
• 165. Harare, Zimbabwe
• 166. Dhaka, Bangladesh
• 167. Port Moresby, PNG
• 168. Karachi, Pakistan
• 169. Algiers, Algeria
• 170. Tripoli, Libya
• 171. Lagos, Nigeria
• 172. Damascus, Syria

To find out more about ranking, check out the Economist Intelligence Unit’s website.