Vancouver Rises as Canada’s Only Top-10 Livable City in 2025 EIU Global Ranking
In the latest Global Livability Index published by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Vancouver has emerged as Canada’s only city to secure a spot in the top 10 most livable cities worldwide. The city ranked 10th overall in 2025, reaffirming its global reputation for high living standards, despite a modest drop from its 7th place ranking last year.
Vancouver Holds Strong Amid Shifting Global Rankings
Vancouver, located on Canada’s west coast, received an overall livability score of 95.8, maintaining exceptional marks in nearly all key categories—Stability, Healthcare, Culture & Environment, Education, and Infrastructure. The city’s only noticeable decline was in healthcare, which scored 95.8 this year, compared to a perfect 100 in 2024.
The dip in healthcare scores was the only factor contributing to Vancouver’s slight slip in ranking. However, experts note that the city’s ranking drop is more due to improving conditions in other cities, rather than any major deficiencies on Vancouver’s part.
Notably, Vancouver is the only city in North America to make the global top 10 list, highlighting its unique appeal among urban centers across the continent.
Top 10 Most Livable Cities in the World (2025)
| Rank | City | Country | Overall Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Copenhagen | Denmark | 98.0 |
| 2 | Vienna | Austria | 97.1 |
| 2 | Zurich | Switzerland | 97.1 |
| 4 | Melbourne | Australia | 97.0 |
| 5 | Geneva | Switzerland | 96.8 |
| 6 | Sydney | Australia | 96.6 |
| 7 | Osaka | Japan | 96.0 |
| 7 | Auckland | New Zealand | 96.0 |
| 9 | Adelaide | Australia | 95.9 |
| 10 | Vancouver | Canada | 95.8 |
Copenhagen leads the list this year, overtaking Vienna, which now shares the second position with Zurich. Melbourne and Geneva round out the top five. Australian cities continue to dominate the list, with three cities—Melbourne, Sydney, and Adelaide—making the cut.
Canadian Cities: Mixed Performance in 2025
While Vancouver managed to hold onto a top-tier ranking, other Canadian cities experienced significant changes:
- Calgary, which was tied for fifth place in 2024, dropped dramatically to 18th place in 2025, with a score of 94.7. This 13-rank decline is the most substantial drop among Canadian cities.
- Toronto continued its descent for the second consecutive year. Falling to 16th place, the city posted a score of 94.9, down from 95.8 in 2024.
- Montreal, in contrast, improved its standing, rising to 19th place with a score of 93.8. The city gained four ranks over the previous year, reflecting modest improvements in several assessment categories.
Across the board, the report indicates that healthcare performance played a critical role in the shifting ranks of Canadian cities. All four major urban centers—Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, and Montreal—saw drops or stagnation in healthcare scores, affecting their overall standings.
How Rankings Are Calculated
The Global Livability Index evaluates 173 cities worldwide using 30 qualitative and quantitative indicators across five key categories:
- Stability (25%): Crime rates, threat of conflict, and civil unrest.
- Healthcare (20%): Quality and availability of medical services and public health indicators.
- Culture & Environment (25%): Climate comfort, corruption levels, cultural offerings, and access to consumer services.
- Education (10%): Availability and quality of public and private education.
- Infrastructure (20%): Transportation, energy, water systems, telecommunications, and housing.
Each category is weighted and scored from 1 (intolerable) to 100 (ideal). Cities with high scores across the board are considered the most livable.
Vancouver: A Global Model for Urban Living
Despite falling slightly in rank, Vancouver’s consistent placement in the top 10 reflects its enduring appeal. With high marks in education, culture, and infrastructure, and competitive healthcare and stability scores, the city remains a strong contender on the global stage.
As housing affordability and healthcare remain key challenges across Canadian cities, Vancouver’s balanced performance underscores its ability to maintain high quality of life even amid shifting global trends.
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