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India.com
3 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- India.com
Global Liveability Index 2025: Only One Asian City In Top 10, Pakistan-Bangladesh At Bottom- Where Does India Rank?
photoDetails english 2919886 Updated:Jun 22, 2025, 11:21 AM IST Copenhagen Tops the List in 2025 1 / 16 The Danish capital, Copenhagen, has dethroned Vienna to become the most liveable city in the world. The city earned perfect scores in infrastructure, education, and stability, pushing it to the top of the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Index 2025. Vienna Drops to Second Over Security Fears 2 / 16 Vienna, which held the top spot for three consecutive years, slipped to second place due to a drop in its stability score triggered by recent terror threats. Despite this, it still leads in healthcare and maintains excellent scores in other categories. Asia-Pacific Makes Gains, But Only One Makes Top 10 3 / 16 Only one Asian city made it into the top 10 this year. While cities in Japan and Australia performed well, they couldn't crack the highest ranks. The Asia-Pacific region did see overall gains in education and infrastructure. North America's Bright Spot: Vancouver 4 / 16 Vancouver remains North America's only entry in the top 10, thanks to its consistent high scores in healthcare, infrastructure, and environment. However, the US continues to struggle with urban crime and political instability affecting its city rankings. Western Europe Dominates the Top 10 5 / 16 Six of the top 10 most liveable cities in 2025 are from Western Europe. Cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Frankfurt continue to impress with their public transport, education systems, and quality of life. Middle East Cities Slowly Climb 6 / 16 Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia is among the biggest risers this year. Thanks to the Vision 2030 reforms, the city improved its scores in education and healthcare. However, instability in the broader region continues to hold others back. The World's Top 10 Most Liveable Cities in 2025: 7 / 16 Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit- Global Liveability Index 2025 The World's Least Liveable Cities in 2025 8 / 16 Damascus once again ranked at the very bottom with a dismal score of 30.7, plagued by war and crumbling infrastructure. Tripoli (Libya), Dhaka (Bangladesh), and Karachi (Pakistan) also remain in the bottom 10, with minimal improvements. The World's Bottom 10 Least Liveable Cities in 2025: 9 / 16 Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit- Global Liveability Index 2025 Where Does India Rank in the Global Liveability Index 2025? 10 / 16 India continues to face challenges in the Global Liveability Index 2025, with none of its major cities making it to the top half of the rankings. While cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Mumbai showed modest improvements in infrastructure and education, rising pollution levels, traffic congestion, and political instability have impacted their overall scores. Additionally, growing concerns over healthcare accessibility and urban safety have kept Indian cities from climbing higher. The stability score, in particular, took a hit due to socio-political tensions and security concerns. Though there's visible progress in tech hubs and metro expansions, India still has a long way to go before it competes with global leaders in liveability. Instability and Conflict Drag Rankings Down 11 / 16 Political tensions, threats of conflict, and civil unrest caused a global 0.2-point drop in stability scores. Cities like Tehran and those in Taiwan and parts of India saw noticeable ranking drops due to these concerns. Healthcare and Education Saw Global Improvement 12 / 16 Despite geopolitical issues, global averages in healthcare and education have improved slightly. Better facilities and post-COVID policy investments played a role in this rise, especially in the Middle East and South Asia. Top 10 Most Liveable Cities (2025): 13 / 16 1. Copenhagen 2. Vienna 3. Zurich 4. Geneva 5. Vancouver 6. Frankfurt 7. Amsterdam 8. Osaka 9. Melbourne 10. Munich Bottom 5 Least Liveable Cities (2025): 14 / 16 1. Damascus 2. Tripoli 3. Dhaka 4. Karachi 5. Port Moresby Why These Rankings Matter? 15 / 16 As people continue to migrate to cities in search of better lives, these rankings shape global conversations about urban planning, investment, and migration. They help governments, businesses, and citizens make informed decisions about where to live and work. Global Liveability Index 2025 16 / 16
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Residents of Karachi call for attention
While the concerned residents watch in silence, the city of Karachi falls from one low to another. Karachi, once hailed as the 'City of Lights' and the economic powerhouse of Pakistan, has once again been ranked among the bottom five of the world's least liveable cities in the 2025 Global Liveability Index by The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The metropolis ranked 170 on a list of 173 countries — just above Dhaka, Tripoli and Damascus — and had a score of 42.7 on the index score, with a score of 100 being the 'most liveable'. Karachi's fall from a model metropolis to one of the least liveable cities is a story of systemic governance failures, lack of ownership, haphazard and rapid urbanization, and indifferent attitude of its residents to a greater extent. This consistent low ranking reflects the city's long-standing and deep-rooted challenges. The decay is on all accounts. There is not a single segment which can be rated as anywhere near to being satisfactory - be it civic amenities, local government organisations, law and order situation, environment, public health and education. Decaying roads, insufficient public transport, and lack of urban zoning have led to traffic chaos, slums, and encroachments. Drainage and waste management systems are outdated, causing frequent urban flooding and unhygienic conditions. Chronic shortages of potable water, load-shedding, and broken sewerage systems plague most neighborhoods. Multiple overlapping administrative authorities (KMC, provincial government, cantonments) result in inefficiency and blame-shifting. Political turf wars hinder long-term development planning and discourage investment. Although improved since the 2010s, Karachi still struggles with street crime, gang violence in pockets, and police inefficiency. Law and order issues affect residents' quality of life and investor confidence. Severe air and water pollution, coastal erosion, unchecked industrial waste, and the loss of green spaces have made Karachi one of the most environmentally-stressed cities. Overburdened hospitals, inadequate primary health coverage, and crumbling public education infrastructure further lower liveability standards. It is not so much a question of lack of funds availability to Karachi to set things right, but it is more of a lack of will to perform and transparency in the deployment and utilisation of the allocated funds for the right cause. A good example to cite that things are doable in Pakistan where there's a will to deliver is the mass transportation system of Karachi comparable to that of Lahore. A Japanese soft loan was offered for the revival of Karachi Circular Railway and Chinese financing under CPEC (China Pakistan Economic Corridor) for Karachi Mass Transit System. While Karachi is struggling since years to put on ground the Green Line Mass Transit System and revive circular railway for the mass transit of its citizens, the city of Lahore has since long provided its citizens a state-of-art mass transit 'Orange Line' under CPEC financing for transportation of its residents from the rural part of Lahore to urban parts and another inter-city mass transit bus system, financed by the government of Punjab for transportation. Lahore has provided its residents a decent mode of transportation. The mass transit system has also been provided to the residents of Faisalabad, Multan and Rawalpindi. Insofar as other civic amenities are concerned, the city of Karachi is left far behind its peers in the country. Onward solutions for a livable Karachi are many like a single governance authority, a decent mass transit system & infrastructure development, green and resilient urban planning with revival of parks and coastal zones, smart policing and community safety, public-private partnerships (PPPs) for water, sanitation, health, education and all sectors to improve service delivery and develop Karachi's resilience to heatwaves, floods, and sea-level rise through early warning systems and coastal defences. These are the basic expected from a city government and all are doable. The civil society of Karachi is a committed and vibrant society and many doable plans have been provided to the provincial and local governments. There are many listeners but no doers. A number of philanthropists and private sector of Karachi have very ably taken over some of the responsibility of the city in the field of education and healthcare and have provided relief to the citizens of the city. They may have to extend their engagement in the infrastructure development of the city under public private partnerships. With over 20 million residents and a strategic economic position, turning Karachi around is not just a local priority but a national imperative to save Karachi, a city of teeming millions. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
CNBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CNBC
The 10 most livable cities in the world based on healthcare, infrastructure and more—not a single one is in the United States
In June, The Economist Intelligence Unit released its 2025 Livability Index, which ranks the world's most livable cities. The index scores 173 cities on 30 indicators divided into five categories, with each one being given a weighted percentage: Each city was given a score of 1-100 — one is considered intolerable and 100 is considered ideal. EIU's report states that the average score for livability across the 173 cities in the index stands at 76.1 out of 100, which is unchanged from 2024. Despite that, the report states that "livability remains under pressure amid geopolitical tensions, civil unrest and widespread housing crises." After spending three years as the world's most livable city, Vienna was outranked by Copenhagen for this year's top spot. The Danish city got perfect scores for stability, education and infrastructure and an overall average score of 98.0. Ana Nicholls, EIU's Director of Industry Analysis, tells CNBC Make It that the reason Copenhagen ranked No. 1 was partly due to its higher score in the culture and environment category, which encompasses aspects such as bars, restaurants, sporting events, and occasions. Western Europe remains the best-performing region for livability across four of the five categories and was only outpaced by North America in education. The United States didn't have any cities make the top 10 or the top 20 and that has a lot to do with its higher crime rates, lower social stability and infrastructure, Nicholls says. "It's worth saying that smaller cities in the U.S. do much better than bigger cities and that's true overall across the livability ranking," she says. "Places like New York tend to much worse, but that said, U.S. cities have one area where they excel and that is in terms of education." The U.S. city that ranked the highest was Honolulu, Hawaii, at No. 23. There were a total of 21 American cities in the overall ranking. Nicholls also pointed out that of the 21 U.S. cities ranked, 14 rose in the index, but mainly because the rankings for other cities around the world went down. "The U.S. does have quite a strong education system, so it is more about the availability and access to healthcare and that being relatively equitable," she adds. "One other lesson that the U.S. could learn is a bit more investment in infrastructure." 1. Copenhagen, Denmark2. Vienna, Austria and Zurich, Switzerland (tie)4. Melbourne, Australia5. Geneva, Switzerland6. Sydney, Australia7. Osaka, Japan and Auckland, New Zealand (tie)9. Adelaide, Australia10. Vancouver, Canada Tied for the No. 2 spot are Vienna, Austria and Zurich, Switzerland, each with a score of 97.1. Vienna scored higher than Zurich in the infrastructure category, while Zurich scored higher in culture and environment. Nicholls says the only reason Vienna dropped out of the No. 1 spot was due to and the discovery of a planned attack on a city train station earlier this year, which led to a decrease in the stability category score. "In one way that didn't affect livability, but the threats made a difference in terms of the stability bit of our ranking," she adds. "[On the other hand], Switzerland does very well in terms of healthcare and education because they have very good systems in place."
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
World's top 10 most and least liveable cities in 2025: Only one Asian city ranks high; Bangladesh and Pakistan among the lowest
Global Liveability Index 2025: In recent years, urban migration has risen as people seek better economic prospects and living standards, giving rise to the concept of liveable cities—sustainable, inclusive, and equipped with essential services, amenities, and opportunities that foster personal and professional growth. According to the recently released Global Liveability Index 2025 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), the global average livability score across the 173 cities in the index was the same as last year, at 76.1 out of 100. The index saw overall gains in education, healthcare, and infrastructure in 2025; however, the global average stability scores declined by 0.2 points amid rising geopolitical instability, civil unrest, and the global housing crisis. Western European cities once again dominated the global liveability rankings in 2025, followed closely by the Asia Pacific region, and the Canadian city, Vancouver represented North America in the top ten. In contrast, cities in the Middle East and Africa ranked among the least liveable; however, on a more positive note, with marginal improvements in healthcare, education and infrastructure on average. There were advancements within cities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, with Al Khobar in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia notably moving up the ranks. The Kingdom is spending extensively on healthcare and education as part of Vision 2030, a comprehensive economic diversification initiative aimed at reducing the country's dependency on oil. Copenhagen has claimed the top spot to become the world's most liveable city in 2025, ending Vienna's three-year dominance by achieving perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure. The Austrian city saw a massive decline in its stability score due to terror threats, yet it outpaced the Danish capital in healthcare. Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit- Global Liveability Index 2025 Note: To view the complete scores across all indices, please scroll or swipe to the right At the other end of the spectrum, cities in conflict zones or those battling weak infrastructure and public services continued to rank poorly. Damascus retained its position as the least liveable city in the world, scoring just 30.7. Tripoli, Dhaka, and Karachi also remained near the bottom. While some cities in the Middle East and Africa showed marginal improvements in infrastructure and healthcare, persistent instability continues to drag overall liveability down. Stability scores have also declined in places like Tehran, Taiwan, and India due to mounting tensions and the threat of armed conflict; listed below are the bottom 10 countries in the Global Liveability Index 2025: Source: The Economist Intelligence Unit- Global Liveability Index 2025 Note: To view the complete scores across all indices, please scroll or swipe to the right Methodology: The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)'s Global Liveability Index 2025 assessed 173 cities globally based on 30 indicators divided into several factors like stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education, and infrastructure, to disclose how comfortable these cities are to live in. Cherry Gupta is an Assistant Manager - Content at The Indian Express. She is responsible for crafting compelling narratives, uncovering the latest news and developments, and driving engaging content based on data and trends to boost website traffic and audience engagement. One can connect with her on LinkedIn or by mail at ... Read More
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Planning a Smooth Move to Portugal: Visa, Law, and Liveability Insights
06/16/2025, Miami , Florida // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Relocating to Portugal isn't merely a change of address—it's a calculated life shift grounded in strategy, security, and lifestyle enhancement. For high-net-worth individuals, Portugal represents more than European residency. It offers a bridge to geopolitical stability, investment diversification, and a superior quality of life in a nation that blends old-world elegance with modern sophistication. But to move successfully—both logistically and legally—requires foresight. From the Golden Visa framework to legal safeguards and lifestyle integration, this article outlines essential factors that will help you navigate the process with clarity and confidence. Why Portugal Continues to Climb the Global Liveability Ranks In a world where cosmopolitan cities wrestle with pollution, inflation, and unrest, Portugal offers a rare equilibrium. Lisbon and Porto consistently score high on the Liveability Index, particularly for political stability, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. According to The Economist Intelligence Unit, Lisbon ranks among the top ten cities globally for lifestyle factors crucial to global citizens: safety, climate, affordability, and cultural richness. For international families and retirees alike, Portugal delivers in ways that many other European hubs cannot—without the bureaucratic sprawl of larger nations or the financial opacity found elsewhere. Legal Residency Through Portugal's Golden Visa One of the most attractive routes to residency remains Portugal's Golden Visa program. Established in 2012, the program allows non-EU investors to gain residency by making qualifying investments in the country. The most common routes include regulated investment funds, commercial real estate, and cultural or research contributions. Notably, the eligibility requirements for Portugal Golden Visa are designed with investor protection in mind. Applicants must be non-EU citizens, maintain the investment for at least five years, and fulfill minimal stay requirements—just seven days annually, making it one of the most flexible residency pathways in Europe. The Legal Backbone of a Successful Relocation Your legal partner will be your single most important advisor throughout this process. A reputable law firm should guide you through fund vetting, property due diligence, and compliance with local tax frameworks. Their role goes beyond documentation—they protect your assets, ensure regulatory alignment, and serve as strategic advisors in coordinating family applications and succession planning. Avoid firms that offer templated services or delegate responsibilities to intermediaries. A truly elite experience will offer bespoke legal counsel, multilingual support, and integrated tax structuring capabilities. Investment Strategy Aligned With Residency Goals Today's sophisticated applicants are increasingly selecting regulated private equity and venture capital funds over traditional property routes. These vehicles not only meet Golden Visa criteria but offer targeted exposure to high-growth sectors like renewable energy, fintech, and biotech—often with built-in ESG principles and government oversight. Portugal's fund route has become especially appealing to American and Middle Eastern investors seeking both security and upside, with nearly 40% of Golden Visa applications in 2024 attributed to fund-based investments. Financial and Tax Considerations Portugal offers a Non-Habitual Resident (NHR) regime that grants significant tax advantages to eligible newcomers. Though recently refined, the regime still allows for reduced or exempt tax on foreign income streams for a period of up to ten years—depending on the applicant's global financial structure. Before relocating assets or triggering tax residency, it's crucial to consult with advisors who understand the intricacies of international tax treaties, CRS reporting, and multi-jurisdictional compliance. Especially for US citizens, FATCA and global estate tax exposure should be carefully mapped out. Lifestyle Integration and International Infrastructure Beyond legality and logistics lies the question of integration: What kind of life will you build here? Portugal offers robust private healthcare, global-standard education (with institutions like St. Julian's and Oeiras International School), and a property market that still reflects long-term value. Whether it's a modern penthouse in Lisbon's Avenida da Liberdade or a heritage villa in Comporta, Portugal's real estate inventory caters to the refined tastes of global elites. Moreover, the nation boasts over 80 golf courses, an elite sailing circuit, and Michelin-star dining—all factors that enhance long-term residency appeal. Travel Freedom and European Mobility Portugal's Golden Visa doesn't just open doors within its borders—it unlocks the entirety of the Schengen Zone. This includes seamless travel to countries like France, Germany, and Switzerland. For many investors, especially those from emerging markets, this visa becomes a conduit for global business, education access, and lifestyle mobility. Understanding the subtleties of Schengen travel—duration limits, re-entry conditions, and the upcoming ETIAS system—is best done early with your legal counsel, particularly as these rules evolve in 2025 and beyond. Comparing Global Options: Why Portugal Stands Apart When assessing the best Golden Visas, Portugal consistently outperforms others in transparency, accessibility, and long-term opportunity. Programs in countries like Greece or Malta may offer similar frameworks, but Portugal's edge lies in its balance of lifestyle, investment integrity, and future citizenship potential. Moreover, Portugal permits dual citizenship and offers naturalization after just five years of residency—without requiring full-time physical presence. This positions it as a powerful second passport strategy for families seeking mobility insurance or wealth security amid uncertain times. Planning with Purpose, Not Pressure Moving to Portugal under the Golden Visa program is a deliberate choice—it's not driven by urgency but by clarity of vision. The individuals who benefit most are those who view the process not just as a legal step, but as a transformation of their global identity. From the moment you begin your application to the years that follow, the right legal, financial, and relocation strategies will ensure you're not simply moving—but elevating. Original Source of the original story >> Planning a Smooth Move to Portugal: Visa, Law, and Liveability Insights
