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- Copenhagen is the 5/4 favourite to retain the #1 spot after topping the EIU’s 2025 Global Liveability Index.
- Vienna and Zurich follow closely, both consistently ranked top 3 in recent years.
- Melbourne and Geneva are rated best outside Europe, with Sydney at 9/1.
Copenhagen Favourite for World’s Most Liveable City in 2026
Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index was shaken up this year after Copenhagen claimed the #1 spot for the first time in three years and bookmakers now make it the 5/4 favourite to stay on top for 2026.
The Danish capital’s top scores in stability, education, and infrastructure pushed it above long-time leader Vienna, who shares second place in the current EIU rankings alongside Zurich.
With quality of life more scrutinised than ever, the race for the top spot has become a popular betting sites.
The current betting market gives an implied probability of 44.4% that Copenhagen win World's Most Liveable City once again this year.
Vienna are only slightly behind in the market, with a 4.4% difference in probability given judging by the betting odds.
World’s Most Liveable City 2026 Winner Odds
| World’s Most Liveable City 2026 | Odds | Implied Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Copenhagen | 5/4 | 44.4% |
| Vienna | 6/4 | 40.0% |
| Zurich | 3/1 | 25.0% |
| Melbourne | 6/1 | 14.3% |
| Geneva | 7/1 | 12.5% |
| Sydney | 9/1 | 10.0% |
How Does the EIU Global Liveability Index Work?
The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Liveability Index evaluates cities around the world based on 30+ qualitative and quantitative factors across five key categories:
| Category | Weight (%) | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Stability | 25% | Crime, conflict, civil unrest |
| Healthcare | 20% | Quality, availability of public and private care |
| Culture & Environment | 25% | Weather, cultural events, corruption, dining |
| Education | 10% | Public and private education quality |
| Infrastructure | 20% | Roads, transport, housing, utilities |
Each city receives a score from 0 to 100 in each category, which is then weighted into a final composite liveability score.
Top 10 Most Liveable Cities 2025 – EIU Index
- Copenhagen, Denmark
- Vienna, Austria (tie)
- Zurich, Switzerland (tie)
- Melbourne, Australia
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Sydney, Australia
- Osaka, Japan (tie)
- Auckland, New Zealand (tie)
- Adelaide, Australia
- Vancouver, Canada
